First "Real" Job, Possible Management Opportunity.

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DamienScott
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17 May 2013, 4:54 am

I've been working 3rd shift at Fed Ex "Express" (airport) for six months. When I started I absolutely hated it and every day for two months told myself "I'm going to put my two weeks in" but never did (starting RIGHT before the Christmas season didn't help much either). I was put into Input, the most fast paced and physically tasking area. After a while I realized that this was a great opportunity for personal growth while I started to build a resume. At first the work was very tough, and still is most nights, but I always tried to constantly be working. Even though I felt like many others on line worked faster than me, those same people seemed to acknowledge and appreciate my hard work.

At first it was stressful being around the 25ish people on the line in such close proximity, but everyone turned out to be really awesome, even my team leader and manager. I get along well with everyone, even the overly smelly guy that everyone makes fun of behind his back. Even in situations where someone is "bad mouthing" another person on line I tend to choose my words carefully to acknowledge/agree with them without personally endorsing their sentiments. All-in-all I honestly feel like everyone on my line likes me or at least doesn't dislike me.

Two weeks ago, after a Line leader quit I asked our team leader if I could become one and she was all for it, and the other line leaders seemed excited about it as well. It's not a real promotion per say, no pay/hour increase, but I am more responsible for everyone's safety and making sure that the line runs smoothly. My manager and team leader seem to think that I am showing initiative in some of my actions such as removing doors on containers for those further up on line or going to the other part of the belts and helping flip heavy packages for the scanner. In my mind however, I tend to do these things to get out of bending over and throwing boxes as much (my back is getting the business >.<).

Anyhoo, I just received an exemplary review from my manager this week. During this review he mentioned that he had some pull in a couple departments and if I ever wanted to move to another position, even management, to let him know. I really enjoy the group that I work with now and I know I am probably lucky to not have any unsavory characters on my line. However, I'm only working about 12 hours a week at $12.25 an hour. The company doesn't seem to have much room for growth and most positions don't come with a pay increase. I have been contemplating trying to find a better job, but my fear of change is keeping me from trying too hard. That same fear is also making me hesitant about moving off of my line since I like everyone so much.

I don't know if my manager was just blowing smoke up my butt about the managerial opportunities, but it is something that I have been contemplating the past couple days. I personally don't think that I would make a very good manager with my aversion to new people. I dislike public interactions with people but, as my girlfriend continues to remind me, when thrust into them I tend thrive well enough. Maybe I could make decent management material. The biggest issue would be dealing with conflict, something I still have trouble with from time to time. I couldn't imagine dealing with an unruly employee, or having to fire someone that is late too much but probably really needs the job.

Sorry for the TL;DR post, Have some of you been in management? How were/are those experiences? Do you think that my manager was mentioning management for no particular reason or is that something that most wouldn't throw around lightly?

Thanks everyone.


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17 May 2013, 12:33 pm

I've been working 3rd shift at Fed Ex "Express" (airport) for six months. When I started I absolutely hated it and every day for two months told myself "I'm going to put my two weeks in" but never did (starting RIGHT before the Christmas season didn't help much either). I was put into Input, the most fast paced and physically tasking area. After a while I realized that this was a great opportunity for personal growth while I started to build a resume. At first the work was very tough, and still is most nights, but I always tried to constantly be working. Even though I felt like many others on line worked faster than me, those same people seemed to acknowledge and appreciate my hard work.[/quote]
** Glad you decided not to give in and put your two weeks in to your supervisor. Even if you don't like something, there's a reason why you're doing what you are. Personal growth.

DamienScott wrote:
At first it was stressful being around the 25ish people on the line in such close proximity, but everyone turned out to be really awesome, even my team leader and manager. I get along well with everyone, even the overly smelly guy that everyone makes fun of behind his back. Even in situations where someone is "bad mouthing" another person on line I tend to choose my words carefully to acknowledge/agree with them without personally endorsing their sentiments. All-in-all I honestly feel like everyone on my line likes me or at least doesn't dislike me.

** You are wise to be discreet in choosing your words carefully. Never know when something could come back to haunt you.

DamienScott wrote:
Two weeks ago, after a Line leader quit I asked our team leader if I could become one and she was all for it, and the other line leaders seemed excited about it as well. It's not a real promotion per say, no pay/hour increase, but I am more responsible for everyone's safety and making sure that the line runs smoothly. My manager and team leader seem to think that I am showing initiative in some of my actions such as removing doors on containers for those further up on line or going to the other part of the belts and helping flip heavy packages for the scanner. In my mind however, I tend to do these things to get out of bending over and throwing boxes as much (my back is getting the business >.<).

** The key thing is that you're gaining more responsibility and such. That's the key for where you right now. It's better to work smarter than harder. I believe in working hard and have a strong work ethic. However, one of the things I have learned over time is to work smarter, not harder.

DamienScott wrote:
Anyhoo, I just received an exemplary review from my manager this week. During this review he mentioned that he had some pull in a couple departments and if I ever wanted to move to another position, even management, to let him know. I really enjoy the group that I work with now and I know I am probably lucky to not have any unsavory characters on my line. However, I'm only working about 12 hours a week at $12.25 an hour. The company doesn't seem to have much room for growth and most positions don't come with a pay increase. I have been contemplating trying to find a better job, but my fear of change is keeping me from trying too hard. That same fear is also making me hesitant about moving off of my line since I like everyone so much.

I don't know if my manager was just blowing smoke up my butt about the managerial opportunities, but it is something that I have been contemplating the past couple days. I personally don't think that I would make a very good manager with my aversion to new people. I dislike public interactions with people but, as my girlfriend continues to remind me, when thrust into them I tend thrive well enough. Maybe I could make decent management material. The biggest issue would be dealing with conflict, something I still have trouble with from time to time. I couldn't imagine dealing with an unruly employee, or having to fire someone that is late too much but probably really needs the job.

** Congrats on the exemplary review; keep up the good work. I doubt it highly that your manager was blowing smoke. At one time earlier in my life, I spent a holiday season working a driver's helper for UPS (I think it was them and not FedEx). Anyway, I was told about career opportunities. To get into management, I was told that I needed a bachelor's degree. Places like UPS and FedEx have college student programs in which they will let you work there on a part-time basis while you're going to college. Then, if you receive a college degree and you're working for them at the time, then your chances are more likely to increase in being promoted there because you're already "in the system."


Hope this helps... Scott


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Scott, Founder/Program Director - GCA Centre for Adult Autism

The mission of GCA Centre for Adult Autism:
"Empowering the lives of autistic adults and young adults and their parents/caregivers by serving as a resource center to provide mutual support, information, and activities" in the Southeast USA
http://www.gcaspies.org

2nd Annual Southeast Adult Autism Symposium
- Early Bird online registration starts in late March 2018
- More information can be found at http://www.gcaspies.org/symposiumhomepage


managertina
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17 May 2013, 11:18 pm

First of all, congratulations on receiving the good news! Your manager seems to like your work and that is wonderful, worthy of celebrating.

If I were you, I would work my way up, one level at a time if possible, putting In a bit of time at each level. Just so that you can get accustomed to the new roles.



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19 May 2013, 5:04 pm

managertina wrote:
First of all, congratulations on receiving the good news! Your manager seems to like your work and that is wonderful, worthy of celebrating.

If I were you, I would work my way up, one level at a time if possible, putting In a bit of time at each level. Just so that you can get accustomed to the new roles.

mt's suggestion of working your way up one level at a time is wise. I can remember at a much earlier time in my life that I wanted to climb the "corporate ladder" as fast as I could and retire by the time I was 55. It's amazing what happens when reality sets in and things aren't always quite what we perceived they could be.


_________________
Scott, Founder/Program Director - GCA Centre for Adult Autism

The mission of GCA Centre for Adult Autism:
"Empowering the lives of autistic adults and young adults and their parents/caregivers by serving as a resource center to provide mutual support, information, and activities" in the Southeast USA
http://www.gcaspies.org

2nd Annual Southeast Adult Autism Symposium
- Early Bird online registration starts in late March 2018
- More information can be found at http://www.gcaspies.org/symposiumhomepage


DamienScott
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19 May 2013, 11:00 pm

Thanks everyone for responding, sorry am late to get back, I tend to spend the weekends with my girlfriend since it's usually when we have mutual time off.

I have some community college under my belt already (computer programming), but I really started to lose interest and had several personal issues coincide with a ton of homework. Perhaps he saw that I already had a couple years of schooling and figured I might go back to finish at some point. They do have wonderful tuition reimbursement, I was going on FAFSA grants previously, but I'm not sure if I am still eligible since I "dropped out". I'm quite intelligent, not to toot my own horn, but when I lose interest or get overwhelmed with a huge workload I tend to start shutting down. I think that if I do go back in the future I'll only take two classes at a time. Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure I was only five courses from my degree... not that I really want to go into computer programming anymore.

I've just been trying to take one step at a time and make some money in hopes to move out with my girlfriend at some point in the future. However, to do that I will certainly need to be working more than 12 hours a week.


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My Aspie score: 117 of 200
My neurotypical score: 110 of 200
Too weird to be normal, too normal to be weird?

How do you save the world when the world doesn't want to be saved?


GCAspies
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20 May 2013, 12:31 pm

DamienScott wrote:
Thanks everyone for responding, sorry am late to get back, I tend to spend the weekends with my girlfriend since it's usually when we have mutual time off.

I have some community college under my belt already (computer programming), but I really started to lose interest and had several personal issues coincide with a ton of homework. Perhaps he saw that I already had a couple years of schooling and figured I might go back to finish at some point. They do have wonderful tuition reimbursement, I was going on FAFSA grants previously, but I'm not sure if I am still eligible since I "dropped out". I'm quite intelligent, not to toot my own horn, but when I lose interest or get overwhelmed with a huge workload I tend to start shutting down. I think that if I do go back in the future I'll only take two classes at a time. Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure I was only five courses from my degree... not that I really want to go into computer programming anymore.

I've just been trying to take one step at a time and make some money in hopes to move out with my girlfriend at some point in the future. However, to do that I will certainly need to be working more than 12 hours a week.


You'll need to contact the financial aid office where you're going to school or planning to go to school and ask the question about Pell grants, state/federal grants, etc. If it means you only take two classes at a time, so be it. Take two classes. You might want to contact the Disabilities Office wherever and find out if you can get accommodations as well to help you while at the community college or four-year college/university.

If you don't know what you want to be doing since you're not interested in the computer programming area, you might want to consider spending a little bit of time and Google "online assessment" and that sort of thing. Something that allows you to take an assessment to find out where your strengths and skills area. Or if you feel confident that you know what your skills and strengths are, you might want to consider finding out what kinds of occupations exist that work to your skills and strengths.

Hope this helps...


_________________
Scott, Founder/Program Director - GCA Centre for Adult Autism

The mission of GCA Centre for Adult Autism:
"Empowering the lives of autistic adults and young adults and their parents/caregivers by serving as a resource center to provide mutual support, information, and activities" in the Southeast USA
http://www.gcaspies.org

2nd Annual Southeast Adult Autism Symposium
- Early Bird online registration starts in late March 2018
- More information can be found at http://www.gcaspies.org/symposiumhomepage