Mysteries of the Workplace

Dec 08, 2011 16:24

I still don't understand what a project manager is supposed to do. I've been using ours as secretaries. I have them schedule meetings, book rooms, etc. They come by and ask where I am with thus-and-such project and then their eyes glaze over when I tell them. It seems that one doesn't have to have knowledge of what is going on to be a project manager. For what they allegedly earn, I would expect a basic understanding of genetic and computer science. Some actually research experience would be useful, too.

I've suspected that MBA's are not worth the paper they're printed on. I found out not too long ago that three of our project managers are volunteers. Volunteers? I'm not certain what they are getting from volunteering. I don't work with the volunteers. Maybe they'll leave here with some background in biology. To their future employers, you're welcome.

Given the demand for project managers, one would imagine they are essential. Ours have given presentations on different topics. One was "Six Sigma," which is some management practice MBA's think should be applied universally, but I'll be damned if I can figure out how it is supposed to be anything other than deleterious to a research department.

There was another presentation going over business practices of various differing businesses. The conclusions seemed opposite of the information presented. At least, the presenter didn't come to the same conclusions I would have. Specifically, I thought encouraging employee loyalty, focusing on the service or product, and setting long-term goals would be the hallmarks of a more successful business. Instead, high employee turnover, maximizing profit (I work for a non-profit company), and short-term strategies are the best way to proceed. I suppose I should be surprised that the end of the presentation concluded that U.S. based companies were doing things right and all other companies are doomed to failure.

At this, I began to suspect that MBA programs are a brain-washing program to get people to embrace unrestrained greed, exploitation of others, and the return of child labor and slavery.

It was not a surprise that the one who gave this presentation left a couple of months ago. He had told me at one point that this company would not survive the next five years. If the Republicans succeed in eliminating the government, that will be the case. But if that happens, my career will be over, there being no money for health care, much less research.

What is the point of a project manager and/or having an MBA? I don't think there is a point other than that is what people have. They don't understand the projects they're supposed to manage and don't know enough to suggest effective improvements. An optimist would think one day the madness will end.
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