I work as a “collaborative pianist” (the new name for Accompanist, a fancy title that came with zero pay increase) at a college where I am paid decently, but not enough to warrant the expectations placed on me and my job performance. To simplify this idea, I have to take on multiple jobs (gig economy) to make ends meet, but am expected to devote a level of performance and excellence that only a full time position would allow for me to do (they’ve dangled this carrot for a while but so far it has been undelivered)
Anywho, I’ve historically been of the mindset that if I give more than expected, I will be given more as a result. However this has not been the case, and lately I’ve been noticing that when the head of any given class cannot make it, they bring in an alternate to fill their role that day. Each time, this individual doesn’t know anything about the class, nor do they know much about the subject matter. You know who knows about each throughly? ME! This occurred most recently yesterday, and you could say that’s the last straw.
So, after this background information, my question is: what suggestions do you have for withholding anything more than the basic job requirements, and utilizing that as a strategy to get the coveted full-time position? Or, do you have any tips regarding how to minimize the work expectation to make it align more fairly with”acting my wage”?