I’ve been working as an APS Level 3 for 2 years now at the Classification Branch. It’s the lowest rung/ pay-grade in the organization. Over the coarse of my 2 years here I’ve been offered the next step up, APS4, but have declined on all occasions due to that role including client liaising. The thought of having to deal with unpredictable clients, their needs, their stupid mistakes etc freaked me out enough to further enjoy working in my own little world. Yes, client frustrations make for hilarious stories around the office, but only cause I’m watching from the sideline. Not interested in the headache.
Last month, we had a huge influx of one-off work come through our door– so much so that I was once again offered the APS4 position to assist in processing the influx. I accepted. The difference being that there was no client liaison involved as this work was coming from another Government Department (meaning, they know what they’re doing – no headaches.)
It’s been an awesome month. Apart from having to train another person in my APS3 role, I’ve been loving the new role, the change of pace. The days have been flying by and I feel like I’ve been achieving something daily. Oh, and the extra $30 a week hasn’t gone astray either.
Aanyhoo. The initial month was up which meant it was time for me to head back down to my old job– though, the influx hadn’t stopped or even slowed. The work was still there. I got extended another 2 weeks. Happy about that. I wasn’t ready to go back down. Though, my replacement couldn’t accepted the extension. I was now running my two roles simultaneously. Its only two weeks though, right? And I had my team to help out.
This week a permanent APS4 position was offered to me. Without hesitation, I accepted. Knowing that I have the ‘work’ part of it down, I’m feeling more confident in taking on the client side.
At the end of the day, I think 2 years in an unchallenging job is long enough, yes it was super comfortable — but were we as humans designed to live like that? Based on the past two years… No, no we weren’t. It doesn’t work. We need the discomfort, the unpredictability. It keeps us alive. I need life.
Happy to have some change, even though I am a little scared and have no idea what will happen and if I can even do this new role.
See how we go! And at the end of the day… Pay-rise? yes, please. :)
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