Help with work situation

[shoiji]

Currently I am a volunteer. There is a slim possibility that it could lead to a part-time job but the possibility is very slim due to budget crisis and whether the place will be in existence come January.

Right now I am helping out in another area with data entry. Which is ok. The problem is a different area wants me to also do data entry. Personally I really do not want to be doing just data entry. If I wanted to do that I know I could easily get a part-time job doing that. However, I can't help but wonder if it would hurt me to say no, I do not want to do that since I am already doing it in another area. Plus it just gets me really urked when I know that there are people in the same department who do not have enough to do and are getting paid to do very little. Have I said I was a volunteer?

So do you think I should just bite the bullet and say ok, I will do the database and try not to flip out while working on it since it could help me land a part-time job? My question is that I really do not want to end up with a part-time job doing things that I know I am well over qualified for because no one else wants to do it.

What would you do and how would you go about phrasing things so that you are not stuck with the stuff people do not want to do.

Looking forward to what you have to say.

[TigerGirl1226]

If I were in your case, I'd feel like I was doing as much as I would be willing to do on a volunteer basis already. I'd let them know that. If there are people being paid that don't have enough to do, let them do it. Ask that if you do all they want you to if there is a possibility of it being a paid position. If not, you might keep waiting and they will never make the move.

I am just that kind of person, I wouldn't wait for them in this circumstance.

[Siebrie]

Do you want to make a career with the other company? It may be a way of getting 'in'. Companies prefer to look to in-house people if they have a vacancy, because that way there is less risk for them compared to hiring a completely unknown person.

[spyzvixxen]

I have been in your situation and got really taken advantage of for not speaking up for myself. I would politely remind them that you are volunteering as much as you can. Perhaps say something to the effect of : In order to prioritize tasks, perhaps we should discuss the additional data entry with (supervisor/mgr).

[shoiji]

Well, so far things are working out. Next week I am supposed to meet with the boss to discuss what I might want to work on so I can add it to my resume. Plus I also spoke to him today about a new initiative that I thought of and would be willing to do with some guidance.

[mauimagic]

How interesting!! Before your last post, I was going to suggest that you approach the situation as -"since I'm only a volunteer and already helping out in that area, I was hoping to have the opportunity to learn something new such as...."

Cannot wait to see what else pops up for you!!