Americorps

Do a year of service, they said.  You'll learn a lot, they said.

Well, I'm 10 months in and what have I learned?  That the organization that I am working for is crap at managing its people, its time, and its money.

That when a big project is due soon, they use me and the other Americorps member to do it, because we don't cost them money.

In fact, that's what we do mostly, is anything that would take up too much time of any of the paid employees.  I find job leads, because the main employment navigator has too many other responsibilities(some of which are supposed to be mine).

What else have I learned?  Oh right, that I am not valuable as an employee here, but at the same time, somehow irreplaceable.  If I am so irreplaceable, don't shove stuff on my plate without asking me. Don't assume that I have loads of time to do a project without asking me.  Don't give me a project and tell me that it is super important and not reply to my emails.  Don't ask me how much time I have left on the project and frown when I give my best estimate without offering help or suggestions.  Don't give me feedback on a project at the end when I have been asking clarifying questions, which you ignored, the whole time.

If you want me to do something, treat me as a real employee.  Because I am and you are misusing me.