Universities Part 2
2nd edition — by Patrick McNeil — Apr. 11, 2007
The Site Type
The previous article on Universities was met with much enthusiasm. Much more then expected. In my article I commented on the frustration of having to get committees to approve things; committees that at times have no clue about design, marketing, or the web. One of the comments on the article pointed out how these committees can be used to our advantage. It hit me instantly what I had missed.
The biggest difference between my current job (for an interactive agency) and my previous job (for a major university) is that of motivation. It seems at my current job self motivation is a requirement. With out it, you will not make it. At the university though, self motivation just always got you more work, so the tendency is to shy away from being aggressive and motivated. Being self motivated means just doing things and asking for forgiveness instead of letting the committee rule things before you even get started. I do say this with hesitation because I know that any effort put forth would be punished at the committee level, while welcomed in the agency model. . As my boss used to say: "no good dead goes unpunished," and it is certainly true.
So, I sincerely believe that being a self motivated worker will ultimately serve you well. It will help you accomplish more then you thought possible, it will push the reaches of your skills. And most certainly if you must report to a committee you loathe, it will force you to be prepared. Over deliver, and provide more then expected. Do things with out asking and make them try to stop you instead of getting a review on everything. I find that in most jobs we have far more power then we might think.And very few bosses will tell you to slow down or stop accomplishing so much.
Ok, I will stop rambling. I hope you enjoy the links. I continue to be blown away by the level of quality in these university sites!
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