Unmotivated and tired of job.

Anon2006

Hi folks,

I'm working in a software job and the moment and am beginning to seriously dislike it.

Been here about 15 months, straight out of college. It was fine at first but now I seem to be stuck in a rut. It's a struggle to face work in the mornings, and just before writing this I have unsuccessfully tried to motivate myself to work this morning.

Being doing a large project now for a few months on my own, and seeing the same code and stuff day in, day out is driving me nuts. While others here work on smaller projects, and so have completed several varied projects in the last few months, I have been stuck with this one.

Have hinted at my feelings to those in chrage, not saying much, just that I would love to get this stuff done and move on to something else.

Thing is, I wonder is it the particular project that is p*ssing me off, or is it the particular position in general? I can't even answer this myself for definite, except I know I DO like I.T., programming, and the software industry in general.

If it was the position, I could try and move. I need to keep money rolling into my bank acc though, as I have a mortgage. Also I wonder if I should stay on another 9 months in order to have 2 years experience which would be very beneficial in looking for other positions.

In case you're wondering i'm not a lazy, 'good for nothing person', I qualified with first class honours from a pretty difficult I.T. degree from a good University, so i'm used to woorking hard. It's terrible though, finding it so hard to face work.

Has anyone here been in a similiar position? What did ye do, or what would you recommend?

Thanks.

WhatsGoingOn

Anon2006 wrote:

Hi folks,

I'm working in a software job and the moment and am beginning to seriously dislike it.

Been here about 15 months, straight out of college. It was fine at first but now I seem to be stuck in a rut. It's a struggle to face work in the mornings, and just before writing this I have unsuccessfully tried to motivate myself to work this morning.

Being doing a large project now for a few months on my own, and seeing the same code and stuff day in, day out is driving me nuts. While others here work on smaller projects, and so have completed several varied projects in the last few months, I have been stuck with this one.

Have hinted at my feelings to those in chrage, not saying much, just that I would love to get this stuff done and move on to something else.

Thing is, I wonder is it the particular project that is p*ssing me off, or is it the particular position in general? I can't even answer this myself for definite, except I know I DO like I.T., programming, and the software industry in general.

If it was the position, I could try and move. I need to keep money rolling into my bank acc though, as I have a mortgage. Also I wonder if I should stay on another 9 months in order to have 2 years experience which would be very beneficial in looking for other positions.

In case you're wondering i'm not a lazy, 'good for nothing person', I qualified with first class honours from a pretty difficult I.T. degree from a good University, so i'm used to woorking hard. It's terrible though, finding it so hard to face work.

Has anyone here been in a similiar position? What did ye do, or what would you recommend?

Thanks.

No point in staying there if that is how you feel. Talk to your boss first and say that while you want to continue working there, the project you are on is getting you down. If this doesn't work send your CV to a couple of recruitment agencies. You sound well qualified, so will have no probs getting a job. No point in living through another 9 months of hell.

Pablo

It's very difficult to be positive when your job sucks. This can happen in after a year or 10 years. You need to be brave and square up to your boss - voice your opinions etc - and sort things out at work.

Tell him/her what you have said here. Your job is undemanding etc. No company likes to lose good staff - they will fix you up, and also respect you for speaking out.

Tom Dunne

Anon2006 wrote:

Has anyone here been in a similiar position? What did ye do, or what would you recommend?

I certainly have.

What you need to do is get a plan together. This is the first step - you realise that you are not getting what you want out of the job and you want to do something about it.

So, what's next? As others have said, talk to the powers that be and see what they say. Have a think about it, and if you are not happy, plan your exit strategy. Bear in mind that you will probably want these guys to give you a reference, so keep it sweet.

Dundhoone

There are two very recognisable project management problems here.
One is that a project which is overly long and not that well structured results in employees who get 60-70-80% into a job and then loose motivation. Its always easier to get that first 60% done.

In an ideal world you could approach your boss, explain that you are at an psychological impass and the boss would give you some support, either by sitting down to redefine goals/timescale with you, or to talk about some difficult aspects of the project and how to overcome these and also to suggest to you what he/she has in mind for you project wise in the future. In fact, if you were being properly managed, your boss should have noticed you have been in a slump and called you in to do some/all of the above.

But hey, its not an ideal world. I certainly have been where you are. It can definately be the work that you are on at the time rather than the overall job thats the problem.

Another thing to note is that you are a graduate, and you will get the work no one else wants to do until you get a bit further up the chain.

I suggest that you look to your manager for support (you might not nescessarily have to say that you've hit a psychological brick wall, but you might ask whats coming after this project is over and maybe get a bit more guidance) . Try to hang on in there. Take a few days holidays if possible to try to reset yourself a bit.

Leave only as a last resort, if you get no support, no help and really are getting no-where. Good luck!

RainyDay

Dundhoone wrote:

One is that a project which is overly long and not that well structured results in employees who get 60-70-80% into a job and then loose motivation. Its always easier to get that first 60% done.

And it takes 80% of the time to get the remaining 40% done!

m_stan

I've been here. I made my feelings clear in work on the situation (in a positive way - don't be overly negative). I then gave it some time and after nothing changed, I left. And I've never looked back.

My advice would be to follow a similar strategy after you've done your two years. There are plenty of jobs out there in this area, so I'm sure there's something you'll enjoy. Be clear on what you want to achieve, and take your time looking for something else.

Best of luck

sinbadfury

In my past experience over the last 8 years or so, different companies may treat their engineers better with more appeasing work environment and conditions, but the software industry in general is a very cynical one IMOP. Business and financial decisions drive software development so quality is nowhere to be found.

I am seriously looking for an 'out' or software. It is definitely not what I always thought it would be.

Anon2006

Thanks for the comments and views folks.

I think I will make my views and thought known in a gentle, non-confrontational way.

I'll give things a chance, take a more positive outlook on the job and see what happens. If I feel the same about things in a few months, I think that I'll definitely quietly look around for other opportunities.

Again, thanks for replying, it definitely helps to put a new perspective on things.

RainyDay

sinbadfury wrote:

Business and financial decisions drive software development so quality is nowhere to be found.

The companies that drive their software development through business & financial decisions have this funny habit of staying alive, whereas those that drive their software development by quality have a funny habit of going bust about 80% of the way down the road to a fantastic product.