I was reading the comments on the guest bloggers post and I saw someone say that no one really knows what we bloggers “do”. It’s true that I’ve been hesitant to say exactly what I do and the more I think about it the more I really can’t see a reason not to tell ya’ll what my job is. So here is what I do and a little back story on how I got into the profession that I am in.
Ten years ago I was managing a coffee shop while I went to college for Mass Communication. There was an ophthalmologist and his office manager that would come in every morning for their cup of joe. One morning they came in and asked if I’d be willing to meet with them after work to discuss something. I was intrigued and since I’m nosy by nature (hehe, get it?), I of course said yes. They offered me a job. Their plan was that I would come in and learn every aspect of the clinic and eventually I would manage it. It was such an awesome opportunity and I jumped at it. I became a certified technician and learned everything from working the front desk and filing insurance to assisting during minor procedures. I was also able to travel several times a year to different conferences. I worked for them for five years and learned a lot. I eventually left to stay home with my children and opened my own business.
When my husband became sick the medical bills started to pile up and we decided that I would go back to work so that we could stay on top of things. We also were getting serious about debt reduction so it seemed like the best thing for us to do. I worried that my being out of the traditional work force for five years would make it hard to find a job. Thankfully, as soon as I started looking, there was an ad in the paper for a surgery coordinator at a large eye clinic. I applied and was quickly hired. When I worked for the first doctor, I was certified to operate the laser and equipment used for Lasik. My current employer was happy that I had these skills and now I do everything there is to do in the Lasik department. I meet with patients and I am with them during the entire process from their scheduling and testing to operating the laser during their surgery. I mostly enjoy what I do. I’m very much a people person and interacting with people is something I really like. The only down side is that it is a large clinic and I work with mostly women. Oh, the downfalls of an office full of women.
Anyway, I hope this was information that helps ya’ll know a little more about me. If you have any other questions, please ask!
wow, “Oh, the downfalls of an office full of women.”?? Try being the change instead of harping on other women.
I didn’t mean to offend but working with a bunch of women is hard. Maybe it’s just as hard as men working with men, I’m not sure. I don’t think I’m “harping on other women” just stating something that’s a fact. The hardest thing about my job is working with 100+ women.
Hi Steph,thanks for the very insightful (and honest) post. I had no idea – I had pictured your work completely different. Thanks for clearing that up.
No problem! I am curious to know how you pictured it though!
I’m fine with what you said but just want to offer a caution about how open you are with work matters online. I think telling everyone what you do is great but since you’re not anonymous it could always reach the wrong people. My husband specializes in employment law and you wouldn’t believe the number of cases he gets about online content. Even what you said could me mistaken, for example if you suddenly get a male employee and one of your female employees claims sexual discrimination and is able to cite this blog. I realize that’s a long shot but just as an example. I enjoy you spunk and personal determination though! Good luck in your debt battle!
I had not even considered that! I’m finding that it’s hard to know what is ok to talk about and what isn’t. Thank you for the advice!
It appears that now we’re going to pick apart every sentence written? Geesh! Thank you for sharing about your job; you must have a very caring, calming demeanor – I’m sure most patients are very anxious about having LASIK done
Thank you for sharing a part of your life that you didn’t have to share. I graciously appreciate that information and hope that others will be so kind without feeling the need to criticize you on how you say things. I took no offense, by the way. I work in an office full of women and totally get it.
Thank you Mary! I’m so glad most of y’all weren’t offended. That is the last thing I want to do but, I also want to be honest about how I feel.
Thank you, Jessica! I enjoy my job very much and I’m thankful that I “fell” into it.
Thanks for the info. I agree with you on working with women and I am a woman too. I believe in a good balance of both genders at work. Otherwise, the whole workplace experence is somewhat limited.
Agreed about the limited experience!
Thanks for the job info. I hear ya’ about an office of women. I have worked in offices of mostly men too, and for me, there was a HUGE difference. I’m not slamming women here. It was just my personal experience. There was way too much drama with the women. Also, backstabbing and gossip. It was generally pretty calm working with males.
Exactly, I think it’s all the hormones. There is definitely always drama.
Absolute agree with you and Lindy on the office of women comments! And I am a woman too.
Thanks, Mel!
Steph,
Thanks for posting about yourself and your job. I took your last statement to mean that you miss the variety of dynamics that an office of both men and women bring to an office–not that it was a bad thing to work with all women. I work in an office that has about equal numbers of men and women and find that balance refreshing. Thanks for posting about your job!
One day I’d love to work in a place that has that balance, it would be interesting to compare the two experiences!
Oh, I hear you! Most of my clients are medical/Doctor offices and most the offices are filled with women. One of my clients is a laser center with 50+ women. NO MEN. So much drama!
I think also age is some of it. My field is also heavy in women, but in my office most everyone is 30-40 years older than I am. I find that older and professional women tend to be much more mature. (Some of the admin staff we have had through the years. ??? & to be fair, most of the women I worked with got professional degrees in times that it was not socially acceptable. Because they are so much older. So these are really tough and neat women. They don’t do office politics and drama).
Thanks for sharing.
Oh, and there are only like 5 women in my office. 😀 I think size is a lot of it. I don’t see so much drama in the smaller medical offices.
You are so right! There is an absolute difference between certain age groups!
Oh and size of the office is a huge factor. The first office I worked for had about 12 employees total and about 8 of them were women. This large office has been a new experience for me.