EMBRACING CHANGE: REFLECTIONS ON LOSING THE BEST JOB I’VE EVER HAD
This Friday will see me leave my job as a technician at a university. I haven’t done anything wrong, and the university is not struggling financially, but they want to save some money. So they’re not renewing any contracts or replacing any staff that resign.
There seems to be a trend among many employers to put a hold on recruitment. I’ve read numerous articles that support this. Since the great resignation when employees held power, it has returned to the employer. Due to the uncertainty of the impact of AI, economic instability and changing work patterns, more and more employers are hesitant to hire. Instead, when a staff member leaves, they are not replaced. The existing employees are expected to shoulder the burden of extra work. As a result, many people are demotivated and burnt out. I’ve observed this with my own colleagues.
I initially came to the university covering 3-month paternity leave. Near the end of the contract, I was offered a part-time job sharing with a colleague who had reduced his hours. My line manager always thought, as with every other staff member before, that after 12 months, they would either extend my contract or make me permanent via an application process. The role was still very much needed. So we were devastated to learn that come 31 July 2023, I would be out the door.
I struggled initially to understand the logic of my employer not renewing my contract or making it permanent. The Dean said I was a good employee, and the decision to not renew my contract wasn’t any reflection on my performance. However, the logic seemed flawed. The fact that I job-shared and the role had not gone away did not make sense. I couldn’t comprehend why he would get rid of a good employee while the course was still popular. I was a model employee, never sick or late and regularly stayed behind to help students. I was a specialist in that subject area and, in terms of diversity, the only woman in the whole building in a technical role where there were nearly 20 men. I loved my job so much that it didn’t feel like work.
Yet I found that my course, which I had supported and studied in, had gone into clearing for the first time ever. I also discovered that the Dean only saw employees as a financial drain. He saw us as resources to eliminate as necessary, depending on finances. So despite the fact that university is doing well he decided to save on a meagre salary and to get rid of a temporary employee. Even though I appealed the decision, it made no difference. So during the worst cost of living crisis, I will be unemployed from the best job I’ve ever had.
I find myself grappling with mixed emotions. With a heavy heart, I bid farewell to a position that has allowed me to utilize my technical skills and intellect to support and empower students on their educational journey. It also allowed me to personally develop and expand on my existing skills. Yet the path ahead is uncertain.
When I graduated in 2020, it was into a desolate landscape of zero job opportunities. In fact, I didn’t work for an entire year. It wasn’t until 2021 I found even a basic temping job working from home.
Being a technician has been more than just a job for me. The opportunity to apply my technical expertise to enhance students’ learning experience has been truly fulfilling. I have participated in shaping their academic success. Plus, I could work on my own creative projects.
I have been acutely aware of my unique status as the only woman in a technical role within the university building. While gender should never be a determining factor in one’s abilities or opportunities, it is disheartening to see the underrepresentation of women in technical fields. My journey has not been without its challenges, but I have embraced them as opportunities to break barriers and prove that gender should never be a limitation in pursuing one’s dreams.
However, I view this moment as an opportunity for growth and reinvention. While losing a job I love is undoubtedly daunting, I am determined to approach this juncture optimistically. Change is inevitable and often paves the way for unexpected and fulfilling opportunities. Instead of dwelling on the past, I am focusing on the skills and experiences I have gained and the positive impact I have made in my role. I have earned the respect of the students, academics and support staff which has given me confidence. Before deciding to study, I was employed in an office and found it totally unfulfilling, from the people I met to my work. However, I have my education and 12 months of experience working in a kit store have given me a confidence I never previously posessed.
Navigating the job market and finding a position as rewarding as my previous one may prove challenging. However, I am resolute in my belief that my technical skills, my education, and creativity as a filmmaker will guide me towards a fulfilling and purposeful future. Embracing change does not mean abandoning one’s dreams; it means evolving, adapting, and discovering new avenues to pursue them. Like any other, the entertainment industry has its ups and downs, but it is also a realm where creativity and persistence can lead to remarkable achievements.
As I bid farewell to my role at the university, I am filled with gratitude for my experiences and the lives I have touched. However, I am a little scared if I can find another role I will love and am quite worried about paying my bills. While all the positive thinking can help, approaching problems as a creative puzzle to be solved. I am also realistic. Only time will tell where I go from here.
