Work Advice

[Kristi]

I am an interior designer with a certificate in AutoCAD. I was hired at an architecture firm about 6 months ago. I got this job because of my interior design degree. My boss hired me because he's wanting to expand his firm and offer interior design services to his clients. My whole interview consisted of talk about my position and what a designer could bring to this firm (I'm the only one here with any interior experience). He even gave me the title "Interior Design Liason".
So, now here I am, 6 months later and I haven't done a single thing involving interiors at all. I'm strictly a drafter (CAD Jockey). I know interiors are discussed in meetings, but these are meetings I'm not invited to. No one seems to have any idea when this firm will actually get involved in interiors. I'm totally the "low-man" on the totem pole because I'm the only one here who didn't go to school for architecture.
I hear people in the office discussing things that have to do with interiors (exterior light fixtures, flooring, counters). I even hear people dealing with problems that their having involving other design firms that are being used and such. I was actually told by one of the architects that she was told my sole responsibility is not interior design, it's to assist with drafting and helping the architects. I'm not sure how to involve myself in their projects because they're all under the impression that I'm a drafter.
I like the company that I work for. I really like my boss. I can see the potential for opportunities, I just don't think I can wait years for them to come around. I really dislike doing what I'm doing now. It's making me a very unhappy employee to come in every day and do what I'm doing. I love interior design and that's what I want to do.
How do I let me boss know all this without it coming off like an ultimatum? I don't want it to sound like he either involves me in interior design or I'm leaving (even though I'm starting to feel like that)? I just don't know what to do.

Any suggestions? I'd love some help. I'm feeling really lost and unhappy.

[LBTC]

Hi, Kristi! I understand that feeling at work - I've been struggling with similar, though different, work issues.

Please have the conversation with your boss and do so soon. Bring suggestions/solutions with you so it doesn't just sound like a whine fest (not that I expect you would make it so, but bosses can interpret things in such ways). Was your boss in the initial interview? Is this the person who indicated you'd be working on interior design? If so, ask what the time frame is. Maybe suggest that you may be able to save the company the time, money and hassles involved in working with outside design firms, by contributing this skill of yours. Suggest you attend meetings where interior design is part of the discussion. How well do you know the architects? Can you bring up your background casually in a social conversation? This might make some lightbulbs go off for them.

Try not to "check out" too soon. The best things in life require some effort and some patience. At the same time, don't stay so long that it sucks all that design life out of you. You've got some very important skills that are being overlooked.

Do you have a formal performance review program? Is development planning part of that process? If you can't get something happening in any other way, perhaps indicating you'd like higher levels of training in design, which would show how much you already know, might get the hint through....

I'm sending you butterflies to help guide your next move and to amplify the peace and patience in your heart so you can hang on until you've had those conversations and you know what you want to do next.

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[Kristi]

Was your boss in the initial interview? Is this the person who indicated you'd be working on interior design? If so, ask what the time frame is. Maybe suggest that you may be able to save the company the time, money and hassles involved in working with outside design firms, by contributing this skill of yours. Suggest you attend meetings where interior design is part of the discussion. How well do you know the architects? Can you bring up your background casually in a social conversation? This might make some lightbulbs go off for them.

Yes, my boss was the one who interviewed me. He's the owner of the firm. All the architects here know of my background. I'm not really sure why they don't want to use it. Based on what the one architect told me, I'm given the impression that they've been told to use me as a drafter. I'm not sure why. I need to involve this is my meeting.

Do you have a formal performance review program? Is development planning part of that process? If you can't get something happening in any other way, perhaps indicating you'd like higher levels of training in design, which would show how much you already know, might get the hint through....

I was supposed to have a review at 90 days and didn't (my boss is out of town a lot, most of our jobs are out of state). I have recently went back to school to get nationally certified, he is aware of this and supports it, but seems to think of it as a personal decision not a professional one.
I know I need to sit down with my boss. I just want to be totally prepared. I'm horrible with confrontation and I want to be strong and not just get pushed aside. I agree with needing a timeline. I really need to know how long I'm expected to wait to be involved with this, and then make a decision based on that information.

[onimity]

Hey Kristi,

I know that feeling...

Having been there, I'd approach your boss in a friendly, positive manner to address the situation. Express that you don't feel that your talents are being utilized and that while you are happy to do what it takes to help the firm succeed you feel you'd be a better asset if ...

and then list, specifically, the things that you would like to see change. That you want to be included in those meetings. That you want to really *be* the liaison that your title suggests. He hired you for your expertise, right?

I am a department of one in my company and my boss had a lot of similar ideas when I was hired. It has been up to me to establish myself in that role, and that takes some standing up for yourself. Suggest positive changes, don't dwell on the negatives but be assertive and define the role that you want to take there. If your boss is as great as you say he will be impressed by your motivation.

And be firm about it. You say he is busy, but make sure that he knows that it's important that he takes the time to talk about this with you. I know that it can be easy to equate that sort of conversation with being b!tchy/whiny, but IMO you shouldn't approach it that way or think of it that way; people respect people that are assertive, (moreso when they are positive about it) but if you let yourself get pushed around it just sets a precedent for more of the same...

My two cents...

Anne

[Mr. Bloom]

I'll attest to the value you'll offer. I had the challenge of overseeing a gutting and renovation of my office building last year...I felt that I was having to anticipate all the "little details" for the architects...Ugh!

I think you should have the conversation. I'd encourage you to say something like this:

I like the company that I work for.
I really like my boss.
I can see the potential for opportunities.
BUT...I love interior design and that's what I want to do.

Then finish by saying "is there a way that we can incorporate interior design into the program as your original intention anticipated?