Background:
In 2021 I decided to transition in my industry from a front facing, talent based, position to a much more stable administrative position. However, I didn’t feel like I had the credentials to support this transition and looked towards grad school. It was important that grad school didn’t give me any debt, was lead by working professionals in the field, and would be useful in getting permanent placement. It seemed to work. Forged great relationships with my professors, worked full time in addition to class, and paid off the entire degree before graduation.
During my last semester, a former professor reached out and asked if I would be interested in coming to work for them at their non-profit. While not necessarily the work I wanted to do long term, the full time job I was working was not in the industry I wanted to be in, and this job would be at least closer. Furthermore the professor committed that the position would help establish me among people in the field, and they would commit to helping me find my dream job. Since the position was fully remote, and my full time job was only in person part time, I could manage to do both, and finish school. The extra income was a nice bonus. I also learned shortly after that my full time job was closing down and everyone would be laid off in July. I would be able to go full time with my professor, and could skip being unemployed.
The Job:
From the beginning, things were off. It suffered from all of the toxic stereotypes most non-profits suffer from. The professor, now boss, was very much a creative who significantly lacked administrative and organizational skills. Three months later and I’m running everything. Boss can’t finish one project or stay on a train of through for more than three minutes. Boss and all our contractors are all Boomers or Gen X and can’t comprehend technology and are unwilling to put in the effort to learn. They’ve completely backed off helping me find a job, because the company would fail without me. That was actually said.
The crux:
On my own, I connected with a speaker I heard at a conference. Reached out. Made contact. Got to interview with them for a position I actually cared about, and actually compensated at a liveable wage. I was transparent with my boss, and they started panicking. If not me, who? I have to help find my replacement, and I can’t leave until I have a replacement. And then the most infuriating. Boss was going through my job responsibilities and they said, “Basically what I need to replace you is a COO (Chief Operating Officer).” This is the same boss that wanted my title to be “Project Manager.” How are you going to replace me while giving the replacement a COO title? And what COO is going to work for sub $30/hr and no benefits in one of the most expensive cities in the world?? And to say that directly to my face, showing how little you value me?
Just a reminder. You owe your job nothing. They don’t care about you. No matter your history. Especially in non-profits.