I think that what really makes me angry about this is that these inquiries, whether intentional or not, seem to endow the asker with a sense of entitlement that in general, tends to annoy me about students. It could be that they just don't know how to speak/write, but sometimes they just seem so huffy about have to actually explain themselves or if, god forbid, I cannot help them because I am not in the registrar's office, or student accounts. I work at the largest employer in my county, please forgive me that I don't know every single procedure/policy/bit of information from departments other than my own...

Heh. Sometimes I get inquiries that go something like, "Do y'all do [some service we don't provide]." No. "Oh, well can you give me the number of someone who does?"

The other problem is that we tell the students that they will have special treatment, and that I'm here to help them. And I am, but they have to put forth SOME effort. I'm here to help you when you have exhausted your capbilities, not because you don't want to be bothered.

Oh, today is just not going to go well.

So, Liz Claiborne is dead and the Spice Girls are going on tour.

That's my news for the day.

Happy birthday, Hec!

I may have to negotiate about salary in my interview today. Ick.

I hate negotiations like that too. Which makes me wonder why that is. Maybe it's because in the times I've had to negotiate pay, I've never been able to negotiate from a position of strength. It's almost as if I want to tell them, "I'd really like it if you gave me more money, but I'll take whatever you give me." It'd be better if I could say, "Company X will pay me Y - what will you pay me?"

At least, you know, in buying a car I have the knowledge that I can just walk away from the deal if I don't like it.

I think it's so funny that some people love negotiating and others hate it. I am a hater and thankfully, I've never had to negotiate my salary.

I have the dumb, and I'm trying to unsnarl at least two nasty problems. As a result, I am making stupid mistakes that are generating even more work for myself. Whee.

I think that what really makes me angry about this is that these inquiries, whether intentional or not, seem to endow the asker with a sense of entitlement that in general, tends to annoy me about students. It could be that they just don't know how to speak/write, but sometimes they just seem so huffy about have to actually explain themselves.

This is one of the main reasons I left academia. The sense of entitlement combined with a complete lack of independence/self reliance is a killer combination.

What's the new gig, Megan? I just assumed you were being professorly!