Career suggestions for a man who hates authority..
Discussion
Well I thought this would be good for the craic if nothing else... Looking at a career that has as little management oversight as possible.
I've got 5 years under my belt in clinical research, have the obligatory decent degree, used to dealing with various experts and authorities, giving presentations etc. as well as extensive experience in auditing the s
t out of people against complicated things. I'm actually not bad at my job and if I can keep myself in check for another 6 months or so I would hope to be promoted.
For various reasons, I despise taking orders however, I want a another job, and I'm looking for some suggestions that will keep this to an absolute minimum (I'm not an idealist I appreciate some is necessary).
The most obvious one is to become self-employed, I've got the cash to tool up for something cheap but it stands to reason that most of the things that are easy to get in to, are of course the hardest to work in afterwards. It's also a bit risky starting a business in a recession, with a mortgage, no parental support, and wanting to start a family in the next few years.
Answers on a postcard?
I've got 5 years under my belt in clinical research, have the obligatory decent degree, used to dealing with various experts and authorities, giving presentations etc. as well as extensive experience in auditing the s
t out of people against complicated things. I'm actually not bad at my job and if I can keep myself in check for another 6 months or so I would hope to be promoted.For various reasons, I despise taking orders however, I want a another job, and I'm looking for some suggestions that will keep this to an absolute minimum (I'm not an idealist I appreciate some is necessary).
The most obvious one is to become self-employed, I've got the cash to tool up for something cheap but it stands to reason that most of the things that are easy to get in to, are of course the hardest to work in afterwards. It's also a bit risky starting a business in a recession, with a mortgage, no parental support, and wanting to start a family in the next few years.
Answers on a postcard?
Everyone assumes that the self employed have no bosses; however, this is a myth.
Self employed workers have bosses too only they are called 'clients.'
In many ways owning your own company / self employed does give the illusion of being free of authority, but that's a trade off for being at the mercy of the paying customer.
Self employed workers have bosses too only they are called 'clients.'
In many ways owning your own company / self employed does give the illusion of being free of authority, but that's a trade off for being at the mercy of the paying customer.
Prof Prolapse said:
I know what you mean mate, but I'm not an idealist, I still report to customers as it is and often despite their stupidity they don't get my goat half as much as the management types who don't have a fking clue what they're doing.
This is sounding like a venting session. It's not.
Your customers are stupid and your management don't have a clue.........................I presume you are perfect in all ways.......................king clue what they're doing. This is sounding like a venting session. It's not.
Sounds more like you have some issues to sort out.
tighnamara said:
Your customers are stupid and your management don't have a clue.........................I presume you are perfect in all ways.......................
Sounds more like you have some issues to sort out.
I don't think I've ever implied I was perfect... That aside isn't that what everyone thinks? Sounds more like you have some issues to sort out.
I do have issues with authority and I'm quite open about it. I much prefer making my own mistakes and their consequences then dealing with the poor decisions of others.
I'm not objectively a child, nor a failure, and I've made my peace with it. I just want to know if there's any suggestions of a career that may better suit my nature. (I also was hoping for some humorous suggestions and I've not been disappointed).
The customer who owns a large outsourced contract (I forget the normal job title for this, it varies at the places I have worked at) is not a bad job as if you do it properly you can always blame the supplier or the terms of the contract for non delivery and you rarely have any deliverables that you have to directly produce. I've known a minority of these sort of customers who do not have to directly deal with their own customers and you have autonomy as long as the contract is delivering.
Of course you need to be good at managing suppliers, SLAs, the bid and contract process.
Of course you need to be good at managing suppliers, SLAs, the bid and contract process.
tankplanker said:
The customer who owns a large outsourced contract (I forget the normal job title for this, it varies at the places I have worked at) is not a bad job as if you do it properly you can always blame the supplier or the terms of the contract for non delivery and you rarely have any deliverables that you have to directly produce. I've known a minority of these sort of customers who do not have to directly deal with their own customers and you have autonomy as long as the contract is delivering.
Of course you need to be good at managing suppliers, SLAs, the bid and contract process.
Vendor Manager Of course you need to be good at managing suppliers, SLAs, the bid and contract process.
Gargamel said:
tankplanker said:
The customer who owns a large outsourced contract (I forget the normal job title for this, it varies at the places I have worked at) is not a bad job as if you do it properly you can always blame the supplier or the terms of the contract for non delivery and you rarely have any deliverables that you have to directly produce. I've known a minority of these sort of customers who do not have to directly deal with their own customers and you have autonomy as long as the contract is delivering.
Of course you need to be good at managing suppliers, SLAs, the bid and contract process.
Vendor Manager Of course you need to be good at managing suppliers, SLAs, the bid and contract process.
tighnamara said:
Prof Prolapse said:
I know what you mean mate, but I'm not an idealist, I still report to customers as it is and often despite their stupidity they don't get my goat half as much as the management types who don't have a fking clue what they're doing.
This is sounding like a venting session. It's not.
Sounds more like you have some issues to sort out.king clue what they're doing. This is sounding like a venting session. It's not.
Following this with interest as i don't like taking orders either.
My pet hate is having to follow a system of work that i feel to be completely the wrong option in terms of what i feel we (a group/organisation etc) need to be doing in order to be achieving the results i want.
On the other hand - if the manager really pulls their weight in terms of getting things done in their area - ie not just barking out orders - and can communicate fairly and sensibly with the people under him/her - its a lot easier.
Have always found it easier to respect managers - who when workload is high - or you are short staffed - will roll up the sleeves and actually help out with the shopfloor work.
Sir Fergie
My pet hate is having to follow a system of work that i feel to be completely the wrong option in terms of what i feel we (a group/organisation etc) need to be doing in order to be achieving the results i want.
On the other hand - if the manager really pulls their weight in terms of getting things done in their area - ie not just barking out orders - and can communicate fairly and sensibly with the people under him/her - its a lot easier.
Have always found it easier to respect managers - who when workload is high - or you are short staffed - will roll up the sleeves and actually help out with the shopfloor work.
Sir Fergie
swerni said:
Gargamel said:
tankplanker said:
The customer who owns a large outsourced contract (I forget the normal job title for this, it varies at the places I have worked at) is not a bad job as if you do it properly you can always blame the supplier or the terms of the contract for non delivery and you rarely have any deliverables that you have to directly produce. I've known a minority of these sort of customers who do not have to directly deal with their own customers and you have autonomy as long as the contract is delivering.
Of course you need to be good at managing suppliers, SLAs, the bid and contract process.
Vendor Manager Of course you need to be good at managing suppliers, SLAs, the bid and contract process.
Also, I've never met a vendor manager who didn't have a manager.
How about a postman?
That's what I want to be when I grow up.
Sir Fergie
swerni said:
I'm not in the army,so I've never had anyone give me orders.
Not being able to communicate with management would show a lack if people skills, yes.
Also the assumption that mangement = being ordered around shows a huge level of naivety
I think you're making some huge assumptions about my personality and level of experience which you really are in no position to comment about. Not being able to communicate with management would show a lack if people skills, yes.
Also the assumption that mangement = being ordered around shows a huge level of naivety
I also think you misunderstand the issue. I can communicate perfectly well, in fact interpersonal skills are the key foundation of my job, however I want to find alternative employment, where dealing with the poor decisions of others is kept to a minimum. I.e. A job with a high level of autonomy.
I don't recall saying that management is being ordered around, but ultimately if you don't agree you're simply arguing semantics. In any business hierarchy its inevitable instructions get past downwards. Its not a democracy.
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