So I spent an hour with the resident guru to go over this business stuff and I just don’t know that I’m for it. I mean seriously, my brain cells are spent enough from my raving days, living with Denis and having two toddlers. I don’t think my brain can handle learning about an entire industry from top to bottom, including taking a Series 6 exam in the fall.
It has officially hit me on the sixth day of employment at The Company: I have no idea if I can do this job.
If the job was strictly secretarial I’d have no problem. If the job was strictly marketing I’d have no problem. But these people expect me to KNOW THE BUSINESS and be able to CONTRIBUTE IDEAS on how to do better business. And they want me to contribute TODAY. NOW.
I’m serious. I don’t know if I can do this job. This isn’t just jitters – this is real fear that I’m in over my head.
Update at 12:09 pm:
I just had a talk with one of the admins here. She was a great person to bounce my thoughts off of and I appreciated her insight. I’ve decided to go to Mr. Russell after his current meeting and ask him specifically what his expectations are for this position. KK, the admin, said that NO other assistants here are expected to know as much as I’ve been told I have to know. But my position is a NEW one since Mr. Russell is new to the company. So I just want to get clarification. KK said she’s surprised they are asking me to take a Series 6 exam since I am not 22 with no responsibilities. She said, “It’s one thing if you were single with plenty of time, but you have a family with two young children – the Series 6 is serious stuff and when will you have time to study much less RETAIN all of that information?” True dat, yo.
I have faith in you Jane. You’re bright and I think you can do it—it’s just that you’re probably not used to such a challenge (since I assumed you “knew” your previous job pretty well and felt comfortable in it. :2cents:
Christy – here’s the thing. At my old job, I did strictly secretarial/admin work and wasn’t required to know the specifics of what my company did. I typed up all the terminology with no real knowledge of what it meant.
Here? At The Company? I have to learn what it all means, know who the movers and shakers are in the industry and be able to advise my boss on deals he should go for. That’s a LOT for an assistant to do. Sure, I knew I’d have to do some research in this position, but I guess I didn’t realize that the position was more RESEARCH than ASSISTANT.
You probably learned more than you think at the old job and you’re experiencing the classic Peter Principle at work (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_principle).
Have no fear – you will be fine. I had the same fears when I started with the USMS. You will learn and you will thrive. It just takes a little time.
You are a very smart gal ~ don’t sell yourself short. You can do anything you set your mind to, cause you have Him to provide what you need. Be strong and courageous!
Sorry to hear you feel that way, sweetie. I am sure some of the justification in pay is the extra work you are expected to do over the other admins. I’d be curious to see what they are making. We’ll pray that the Lord makes the situation clear to you and helps you make the decision that is the right one for you.