Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Brief Respite
For the last two days I've been at a research workshop led by the institute in Colorado where I used to be the #2 guy. Yesterday morning as I looked at the 7 of us around the table in one session I realized that 5 of us have PhDs, which is a bit of a change since in my current job I'm usually the only one around.
It was nice to take a couple days to think about big issues as we set the research agenda for the institute for next year. Even though I am in a policy making job here in DC, I really don't get to think about "big picture" or "long term" stuff unless I do it on my own. I was brought in supposedly as a Southeast Asia analyst but that's not what they're using me for. And in fact, even the people who ARE supposed to be working with that region really don't do much. They really are just Washington bureaucrats, and sadly, that is what I have become as well. I spend my day writing regulations, thank you notes, and reports on other people's work. Oh, and putting together "talking points" and "readahead packages" for other people's meetings. And coordinating...don't forget how we have to "coordinate" our "staff packages" so every office can have their "input" regardless of whether it's any of their concern.
When I get down about the job I usually remind myself that the goal was to get to DC, and I was willing to take a less than fascinating job to get here. But with everything that's happened here at home since last fall, DC really hasn't been as fun as I'd hoped. So I'm in a job I don't like but not really having the benefits that were supposed to come from that. Well, OK, at least I'm not totally working my ass off, and I have the time to be planning for my next big job move in a couple years, and I do get to do some travel which hs helped me meet up with friends. But somewhere along the line, I'd like to think I'm contributing something worthwhile, whether at work or somewhere else.
Hmmm...maybe I should look into teaching part time. Or start doing some volunteer work where I can make a contribution.
It was nice to take a couple days to think about big issues as we set the research agenda for the institute for next year. Even though I am in a policy making job here in DC, I really don't get to think about "big picture" or "long term" stuff unless I do it on my own. I was brought in supposedly as a Southeast Asia analyst but that's not what they're using me for. And in fact, even the people who ARE supposed to be working with that region really don't do much. They really are just Washington bureaucrats, and sadly, that is what I have become as well. I spend my day writing regulations, thank you notes, and reports on other people's work. Oh, and putting together "talking points" and "readahead packages" for other people's meetings. And coordinating...don't forget how we have to "coordinate" our "staff packages" so every office can have their "input" regardless of whether it's any of their concern.
When I get down about the job I usually remind myself that the goal was to get to DC, and I was willing to take a less than fascinating job to get here. But with everything that's happened here at home since last fall, DC really hasn't been as fun as I'd hoped. So I'm in a job I don't like but not really having the benefits that were supposed to come from that. Well, OK, at least I'm not totally working my ass off, and I have the time to be planning for my next big job move in a couple years, and I do get to do some travel which hs helped me meet up with friends. But somewhere along the line, I'd like to think I'm contributing something worthwhile, whether at work or somewhere else.
Hmmm...maybe I should look into teaching part time. Or start doing some volunteer work where I can make a contribution.
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Teaching part time or volunteer work sounds good. It also adds points to your karma! - not that I believe in that stuff.
Personally speaking, I actually think teaching is kind of fun (when your class isn't full of idiots, that is).
Whatever it is you do, just make sure your happy doing it. ;)
Personally speaking, I actually think teaching is kind of fun (when your class isn't full of idiots, that is).
Whatever it is you do, just make sure your happy doing it. ;)
Dear Will,
Eurasia Group is looking for a Southeast Asia Analyst. If you are interested in speaking about this opportunity, please email me.
rickards@eurasiagroup.net
-Erin
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Eurasia Group is looking for a Southeast Asia Analyst. If you are interested in speaking about this opportunity, please email me.
rickards@eurasiagroup.net
-Erin
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