Tuesday was ROUGH!
One week after the Dev Team's 4.5+ hour-long JOH planning meeting where people were assigned specific tasks and deadlines were set, NOTHING HADBEEN DONE by anyone else by this week's meeting.
Charlotte keeps making excuses (which doesn't push the event date any further back), Carla and David keep being flippant like everything will magically come together (even though it hasn't in 3 months), and everyone keeps questioning decisions WE'VE ALREADY SETTLED ON. Charlotte literally said, "Well, it's been busy with a big event and United Ability Day." I said that it shouldn't be because of 2 things that happen every year.
When I got home, I - out of complete desperation - decided to try to vent to Doug (who instead got frustrated back at me because of the energy I was dumping on him, hurt myself, and ended up passing out early since we weren't talking). I was definitely in a state and not sure how to recover. I am again in advanced burnout tangoing with depression.
However, yesterday morning, I got the salvation I was hoping for (yes, that is intentionally exaggerated) - Marylyn called to offer me the Assistant Director of Advancement Info and Analysis position, and at almost double what I'm currently making. Doug was shocked because it took him "20 years of working at UAB to make that much"- we'll literally be within a couple thousand of each other on salary. WOW!
Marylyn sounded legitimately excited to choose me. She let me know that it seriously had been a difficult decision, and she was amazed by the talent who had applied. But, she said that reading my essay answers and seeing my thought process made it absolutely clear I was the right fit.
I doubt myself a lot. Not only because those were the messages I was sent for my entire childhood but also because I have had a pretty unconventional path to finding my professional strengths. Without the formal training (that it at least SEEMS others have since I don't always know the correct terminology to use), I always wonder if I'm actually as skilled as I think I am. It always kind of bothered me that I've never tried to be poached (as dumb as that is). But this really feels like a major moment of validation.
Marylyn did, however, let me know this was the "soft offer" where we basically officially decide to move forward with all the official HR and Finance steps required to make it reality. She said that part (in typical UAB fashion) could end up taking weeks to complete on top of my 30 days' notice for my current position so not to be too hasty.
I do, though, want to let Charlotte have a heads up so we can possibly start putting measures in place to smooth the transition a bit.
My guilt of leaving (since I really do care so much about United Ability) has been significantly eased as Tina (our COO who has worked here 43 years) just announced her retirement effective next week, and 2 long-time staff at Hand In Hand are apparently leaving soon. I interpret this exodus as top performers being wrung out and making way for new energy.
If the remaining and new staff will have the positive outlook required, I think this would be an incredible opportunity for new growth and expansion.
