[Ed Dantes]

Maybe this is dumb posting this in an open forum, but still...

I graduated from LU, earned a Master's two years later and got hired at my job right before finishing my degree. When I arrived, I was one of three people assigned to a "simple, critical task". I got good at it -- real good -- and carved a nice niche for myself as the go-to guy for our organization, because I knew how to accomplish things quicker and more efficiently.

Eventually, my two co-workers left because they started getting tired of accomplishing the "simple, critical task" every day (and getting into work at 6:15 a.m. to do it). In their absence, I was king of taking care of "simple task."

However, when the opportunity for advancement came, I got held back. Why? Was I not capable of accomplishing "advanced task"? No, because I had accomplished "advanced task" when someone had to substitute when everyone else was on vacation. So, they left the responsibility of "advanced task" to someone they had hired a few months prior.

While I wouldn't have a problem with that, "someone" is rather stupid and incompetent at "advanced task". Why wasn't I moved into the role of doing "advanced task"? Because I was so good at "simple, critical task", they didn't want to have to mess with that.

This frustration has been going on for months, by the way.

I was out sick on Monday, and I realized that a colossal error had been made by whoever was substituting for me doing "simple task". As it turns out, the person who subbed for me was the same "someone" in charge of "Advanced task", who promptly screwed up "simple, critical task" as well.

And yet, "simple, critical task" is so easy for me that I don't even have to think about it or get stressed, but I despise it because it requires little brain power... and I know that I should be on "advanced task" now, but they moved an idiot into "advanced task" so they wouldn't have anyone screw up "simple, critical task".

Oh, and instead of replacing my former co-workers with others to learn how to do "simple, critical task" so we would have more than one person (me) who knows how to do "simple, critical task", they hired a new person and assigned them to help with "advanced task".

So, now I'm stuck doing "simple, critical task" and TWO people who don't know what they're doing are in positions where they can order me around while they do a poor job of "advanced task".

Loong story short... and I made this as generic as I could so as many people could relate to it... what do you do when you're too good for your job?

I mean, I should probably quit -- but I can't do that, because I am paid decently considering that all I do is "simple task" (i've received two raises, even though I still make less money than both of my boss's secretaries) -- and if I quit I would have to start at the bottom paygrade of "simple, critical task doers".

Or maybe I should hang in there... and watch my soul die a little bit more, every day.

[Fumblerooskies]

RUN...get out of Dodge...as soon as you find another job. Chances are you are making someone higher up look VERY GOOD...and that someone wants to keep looking good.

[Sly Fox]

Fumbles is dead on. I've been in your shoes very recently which contributed to me stepping away from television. I did such a good job at what I did that I locked myself in on a low rung of the ladder. Its not till you are gone do they often appreciate the work you did. Now the bosses they brought in over me are all calling me and asking me how I did things.

You need to start dropping some lines out in the water to see what you might hook. Experience has told me that the best way to advance these days is through the leverage of somebody on the outside wanting you. Then again, you may find something particularly fulfilling that God has been preparing for you all along.

[PAmedic]

agreed.

go NOW before you are 55 and wish you had.

(or 37 and wondering if you should have 5 yrs ago )

what will be, will be. Don't sweat it.

[Realist]

Start looking to go elsewhere. Even if it's something you'd never thought you'd do, look around and put feelers out even if you have no experience. I was miserable as recently as 5 months ago with the situation of having a boss that took all the credit for things I did, and blaming their failures on me. I left a secure job for a contractual one with no benefits, I had a background in the field, but no experience in that segment. 2 months later, I received a great offer for a salaried postion. If you're not happy, get out and don't have any regrets, it will work out. I was extremely nervous doing what I did, because I'm naturally conservative in that type of thing and it was a high risk/high reward move.