My Life at Sears
The Basics
I'm a "System Supervisor" for Sears Holdings Corporation. Basically, what I do is help manage the Data Processing/System Administration department. I do routine maintenance on equipment, help generate reports, and create a schedule for what will be shipped from our warehouse to the K-Mart and Sears stores in the Southeast.
What I Like
People are Friendly
Generally, everyone is friendly at work. It's easier to work where everyone isn't constantly rude. I'm not really sure how much of the friendliness is sincere, though. Being a member of management can cause people to treat you differently than if you were one of their peers.
Easy Commute
I was able to find an apartment that is within a five minute drive from work. That's a lot better than being stuck in Atlanta traffic.
What I Don't Like
Lack of Challenge
I was told that this position was "analytical" and "problem solving" with an emphasis on "finding ways to be more efficient." This sounds like the same skill set that I have used in I.T. work in the past. Wrong. My job isn't very analytical. It's actually more about data entry. There is very little difference in what I do and what the computer operators (hourly associates who I manage) do.
When I see areas where our department or building could improve our operation, my suggestions are shot down as being "insignificant" or "not your call to make." From what I've been told, everyone wants to hear ideas for improvement, but I guess that was just talk. I really don't understand the attitude of something not being my decision to make. Am I making a final decision by merely suggesting something?
I miss coding. I could solve problems in code. I could make people happy with real, hands-on results. In my current job, I fill out forms and print them for my managers. I load paper in printers. I clean. I'd rather be parsing data in a database than getting paper cuts from stacks of labels.
I have a lot of technical skills that I'm not allowed to use because the company opperates top-down. In order to improve any system, I have to be at corporate. This is really unfortunate because I could repair some poorly written software that wastes a lot of time due to its design if they would let me work on it.
Nobody Takes Responsibility
A lot of finger-pointing goes on before people take time to fully understand a problem. It makes me sad to watch it unfold. This shouldn't be a first response.
A Feigned Attitude of Change
There is a big program coordinated by corporate that intends to change the culture to be focused on the things that build success. Unfortunately, when it comes to living the mantra, things don't go so well. People are too wrapped up in their day-to-day activities to focus on doing things right.
One-Way Communication
My associates say no one ever really listens to them. I don't feel like anyone listens to me. My manager doesn't feel like anyone listens to him. Why do we just follow orders? Why don't we have people who listen? I think this goes with the whole corporate culture thing.
Little Room for Advancement
With the way the company is structured, there is only one position for me to be promoted to from my current position. Unfortunately, that position will not be available unless my boss is fired, quits, or dies. He has no intention of allowing any of those to happen. The case is the same at the other locations across the country. If I want to be promoted, I'll have to either move laterally or apply for a new job at corporate. Since I'd like to work in I.T. and I don't feel like moving to Michigan or Chicago right now, I'm virtually in a dead-end job.
Overall Impression
An Opportunity to Grow
This just doesn't feel like what I was told it would be. I've begun to browse job listings again, but I don't know how soon I'll move on. I know I don't want to live this lifestyle for the rest of my life, and my employer isn't interested in helping me feel like a contributor to the success of the company, so I think the best thing for me to do would be to move on when the time is right.
What Good Is It?
This experience hasn't been entirely negative. I have been able to learn how one company does logistics. I've seen how big of an impact a well-placed manager can make. I've been able to earn enough money to see my friends when I've had time. I've had the opportunity to live the life of night shift.