applying for an internal job

[frugalone]

Yesterday, I saw that the college I work for is looking for an alumni communications/events manager. While I have no experience w/alumni or event planning, per se, I did work in college marketing for a number of years. I was very unhappy, for various reasons, and I never felt I was measuring up to the standards of my department or the institution by which I was employed.

Now I work in the college library. I could really use a higher-paying job, but I am always wavering about making the necessary changes to get more money. My job is pretty low-stress (the worst part is a person I can't stand, who got a job in our dept. thru nepotism).

I was thinking of applying for this alumni job. However, last summer I applied for a lateral position in the library, and after the interview, changed my mind about the job and removed myself from the running. Pursuant to various management web sites, I let my boss know I was applying for that lateral job.

Now, six months later, I'm rather nervous about saying, "Hey, you know there's an opening in alumni. I'm going to apply." Sure, more money is a legit reason. But I took this job w/the idea that I was going to become a librarian. Now I'm not going to pursue that line anymore. If I leave, I want to make sure I am going somewhere better with more money, etc. But I DON'T want my boss to think, "Her loyalty lies elsewhere. She really doesn't want to be here."

Like, I could put myself on the line by applying for this other job and jeopardize the one I have.

I don't even know that it does pay more. I don't know anyone in that dept. and I don't know a lot of people on campus. I wish I could snoop around and get more info but I'm not sure how to do so. And I have only two days left before the application site closes.

What do you think?

[Lainey]

I think I'd do some online research on what is expected of an alumni coordinator/manager. It should also tell you what the salary range is.

That said, I'm sure it's a position for a high energy, extrovert type. Also probably someone who enjoys dressing up and going to different functions, many times in the evenings.

Sounds like you're really only looking at it for the possible salary increase, but you'd have to ask yourself if you really want that particular type of job in the first place.

[razz]

Lainey has some good advice to consider.

[frugalone]

Very good points. I'm doing some online research right now.

It's not just for the money, though, of course, that's very tempting. I would hopefully be able to use my writing/communication skills again on the job. The job I have is pretty dead-end, and the idea that the world is marching forward (for e.g., in my last job, a mere 5 years ago, the college hardly used social media. Now, it's all over the place!) and my skills are not is rather scary. I just don't see myself staying in the library till retirement.

However, I am not a shaking-hands-and-kissing-babies type of person. So that may be something to really think about.