The Thoughts of a Frumpy Professor

............................................ ............................................ A blog devoted to the ramblings of a small town, middle aged college professor as he experiences life and all its strange variances.

Tuesday, August 03, 2010

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Thoughts On Living



Sometimes I feel very lonely at work. Not alone... hell, I get more people trapsing to my office and lab door than I can stand most days. But I do feel lonely. What I mean is that I had always envisioned my career as a Professor to be one of exploration, guiding, and discovery. And, it has at times over the years been very much like that. However, for the last 5-6 years, this has not been the case.

Since perhaps 2005 or so, work has become mostly a pressure cooker of activity where we are in a time of extensive growth in our majors, so much so that we as a faculty are stretched beyond normal capacity. Additionally, our physical spaces are literally bursting at the seams from over use and over activity. And, of course the last few years have seen a nosedive in the economy, so our budget has been whittled down as well.

All of these pressures have made people more touchy, cranky, and aggitated than they had been before in my Department. I know that *I* personally do not feel particularly appreciated for the work that I do and strive to do damn well. I know others in my Department feel the same way. And, yet, instead of banding together as a tighter knit "family" of sorts, we grouse and grumble at each other more as well.

It is simply a disappointing situation. I know I am powerless to change others, so for me to find happiness in this current environment, I need to change myself. Yet, at the moment I am unclear on how to do this. I want to feel appreciated, I want to feel appreciating... and I want to be able to explore and discover again... and help others to see that beauty as well.

PipeTobacco

5 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Have you considered a career change due to the unhappiness you experience?

Tuesday, 03 August, 2010  
Blogger muddleglum said...

Reminds me of a Harris cartoon from the journal Science that one of the professors had posted behind her.

In it, what looks like the department chair was saying to a group around a conference table, "I believe our problem with grant funding has ended" as she introduces a man with horns.

I, at least, couldn't help but chuckle to myself whenever dropping in. This was in the physiology department, btw, which endures a low popularity rating and difficulty in finding funding in the best of times.

Maybe you should find one of those books of Harris' cartoons and post a few to lighten everyone's mood. If nothing else, you'll begin your own day with a grin. It is easier to admire when you're smiling.

http://www.sciencecartoonsplus.com/pages/gallery.php

Tuesday, 03 August, 2010  
Blogger BBC said...

Hum, can't say that I've ever felt lonely. Things in my life were missing but that was something else, I can spend a week alone and not feel lonely.

If I didn't like a job I quit and moved on, if I dropped a so called friend it was no big deal, I just found others.

Life is a journey, and it's not about money, I suspect that you are shooting for extra retirement money by staying at the same job.

In that case you will just have to put up with the crap. No whining now, you're the one that chooses to sleep in that bed.

Tuesday, 03 August, 2010  
Blogger zirelda said...

Find one thing every day to be appreciative about at work. Smile a lot, give compliments. Refuse to grouse at others.

You'd be amazed at how that comes back.

I'm often lonely at work too. But more because in my position, I don't have a lot of peers. I get complaints, not companionship. Sigh.

Thursday, 05 August, 2010  
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Thursday, 03 January, 2013  

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