Job Title means nothing.

[robotichead]

Ok, so I finally got a semi real job. I am a studying student, so the usual job's i would have would be kitchen ***** and bar *****. Where if you were a kitchen *****, you would help in the kitchen, and similar with the bar job.

So, got a new job about 6 months ago. Now don't get me wrong, I love my job, and its at the same university where I am currently studying. My OFFICIAL TITLE is Administrator Assistant. Simple enough. Just a normal admin person who takes minutes at meetings, writes the minutes up. Calls people, organizes people etc. Except I have not done this at all. :I

So far, what have I done.
Fixed their database (simple, it was just in Access).
Maintained their database (simple, data entry, create queries, reports etc)
Setup events (watch people put up tents and tell them where tables go)
Organize events (had a major task, where I had to film students etc)
Program (well, currently I am programming a program for them)
Research (currently, I am researching better methods of running certain programs and a better Database system)

Is it me... or do job titles mean very little?

[rokytnji]

Welcome to the world of work robotichead. I can only speak from my experience. If you say, "I know how to do that". Your boss and coworkers won't care what your job description is. They will watch you do the job instead. If your job description duties fail to get done. They will be the first to point their finger at you. Just speaking from personal experience. Your mileage may vary.

Ever notice? You see a construction crew out in the street. There is one guy in the hole digging. 5 guys standing around looking down in the hole watching him work. Way of the world it is.

[GNU-Fan]

The Cubes™ - Job Title Generator

[ngwasuma]

Job Title is as meaningfull as the Job description

[Strangelet]

Where I come from, your job title and education matter when you're hired. As soon as you're employed, on the other hand, things look a lot different.

Not that that'd keep those suits from inventing fancy buzzword-esque new job titles to decorate their desks and correspondence with.

[oz]

Is it me... or do job titles mean very little?

No, it's not just you... I think job titles often mean very little in life, just like user titles on these forums often mean very little. Still, there are exceptions in both cases.

[cousinlucky]

More than your name people, especially those in charge, notice your work habits more than anything else. As a small child I was always told to do the best that I could do; and because that was drilled into me whatever teachers or adults I happened to be around were always willing to go out of their way to teach me as much as they could.

In school getting on the honor roll would bring the wrath of the bullies; but whipping me today just meant that I would be better prepared for them tomorrow.

I have had many a job ( especially working for a government agency ) where doing my best was frowned upon and even brought violence my way.

Self Esteem and pride in your work enhances your reputation and makes getting promotions and raises that much easier!!

[Djarum]

I love the fact that as a dealer in the casino I work at, I make more than many of the executives.

[waterhead]

Ever notice? You see a construction crew out in the street. There is one guy in the hole digging. 5 guys standing around looking down in the hole watching him work. Way of the world it is.

HEY! I resemble that remark!

What people don't realize is that each person has a specific job. On our crew, at least four people are used when fixing a water main break.

One operates the backhoe.
One works in the hole, fixing the break.
One is the "top man". He helps the guy in the hole and keeps an eye out for any cave-ins. He can't leave, as long as they guy is in the hole.
One operates the dump truck. We have two trucks, so that could be a fifth man.

While the guy is in the hole fixing the break, the others sometimes have to wait. Using any fewer men makes the job a lot harder, and it takes much much longer.

I know it is slightly off topic, but I felt that I needed to clear up this misconception.

As for job titles vs job duties, I look for ways to do more than what is "expected". Doing the same thing over and over is boring. Keeping thing varied makes it more interesting. It also may make you a more valued employee.

[Rubberman]

The Cubes™ - Job Title Generator

Way cool! Best laugh of the day.