Getting denied to volunteer for a project?

(mini rant)

I've been trying to up my skills as much as possible. Currently I'm in a Jr. Sysadmin role. There's a virtualization implementation project going on Wednesday. I asked if I can volunteer and be a part of it, and I got denied. I was told "We appreciate your enthusiasm, but we need you to focus on your current role for now".

How is one day doing a project going to hurt me? I just did a project on Friday, so what's the big deal? Am I thinking too much into this? I really wanted to be a part of that VMware project.

It's annoying that I'm the one that volunteers and tries to get ahead, yet I get denied. I thought it may be that I'm bad at my job? But I get told that I'm doing a good job all the time. Idk what the issue is.

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Comments

networker050184

A few things could go into it I suppose. Is Wednesday a particularly busy day for your current role? If not it sucks they at least won't let you get involved. You're right, the fact that you are enthusiastic and wanting to help should be something they embrace and encourage. At least at any company that is worth working for really. Or it could just be a one time thing. If they make a habit of not letting you progress it might be worth looking for a place you can. Keep at it and see where you get before jumping to too many conclusions.

InfoTech92

networker050184 wrote: »

A few things could go into it I suppose. Is Wednesday a particularly busy day for your current role? If not it sucks they at least won't let you get involved. You're right, the fact that you are enthusiastic and wanting to help should be something they embrace and encourage. At least at any company that is worth working for really. Or it could just be a one time thing. If they make a habit of not letting you progress it might be worth looking for a place you can. Keep at it and see where you get before jumping to too many conclusions.

It just stinks man. I'm 23, eager and hungry to learn, and I get stopped in my tracks. Isn't a friggen company suppose to like the fact that I want to progress? Nope, Wednesday's aren't that bad, especially since 3 other people will me running with the shift anyways.

It's like my manager only wants me to hit a certain point, and that's extremely annoying. I'm not going to stop my hunger because he could care less.

InfoTech92

NetworkNewb wrote: »

That definitely sounds annoying. I get the same feeling where I'm at, I work at a small company and they just spent a few thousand dollars updating a bunch of people's iPhone 5s to iPhone 6s, I order all the phones so I know, but they won't help pay for me to go for any certifications at all.

Sorry to hear that brother. Look at it on the bright side. A lot of places make you sign something like "If we pay for this, you stay here for x amount of time". You have to pay for them yourself, but at least you're not locked down.

goatama

Two things. 1) It could be that you just did another project on Friday, maybe they want you to stay focused on your normal job for a bit. Or 2) virtualization projects typically don't happen in a day. Or at least good ones. It may be that they know it's going to take a lot more than just a little bit of time for you to be involved. Are they allowing anyone else in your same section to participate?

InfoTech92

goatama wrote: »

Two things. 1) It could be that you just did another project on Friday, maybe they want you to stay focused on your normal job for a bit. Or 2) virtualization projects typically don't happen in a day. Or at least good ones. It may be that they know it's going to take a lot more than just a little bit of time for you to be involved. Are they allowing anyone else in your same section to participate?

No, because no one else has asked. No one asks as much as I do to do stuff.

goatama

InfoTech92 wrote: »

[...] No one asks as much as I do to do stuff.

That, in itself, could be part of the problem. I'm not saying you shouldn't, but maybe pick and choose which projects. If you're dying to get out of whatever position you're in, and it's obvious, they may hold that against you.

InfoTech92

goatama wrote: »

That, in itself, could be part of the problem. I'm not saying you shouldn't, but maybe pick and choose which projects. If you're dying to get out of whatever position you're in, and it's obvious, they may hold that against you.

I like the position I'm in. It has nothing to do with that at all. I just want to learn more. I don't see how that could possibly be a problem......

cyberguypr

Always keep in mind corporate politics. Your eagerness to learn may be seen by others as a threat to their job.

jrcarr2

There are a lot of things to consider and a lot of things that may not be relevant.

First, how is your relation with your supervisor/manager? Have you asked what you may need to do in order to be able to volunteer for those projects in the future?

Did they ask for volunteers for this project? If they didn't, there may be a reason for that.

Keep in mind, the priority for a business is the business. As someone mentioned earlier, a project like this can span multiple days. It may be best for the business that they don't have any volunteers pulled away from their duties during this period.

Other things to consider. How's your performance? From what it sounds like, you're likely one of the more motivated performers, but this is still something to consider.

This is all speculation of course. But in the grand scheme of things there are many things for the business to consider that you may not be privy to.

If this is simply a single occurance and the business or managers aren't trying to squash your growth (since you volunteered before it doesn't sound like it) then I wouldn't worry about it.

LeBroke

Could literally be, whoever is doing the implementation has a lot of stuff on their plate and simply doesn't want to hand-hold you and explain everything step-by-step. Maybe he just wants to go through the motions he's done 20 times before without talking to anyone, and then go home.

Don't hold it against you.

clouder

^I think LeBroke has pinned down the most likely scenario.

ImThe0ne

Would have to agree, projects like this typically have strict deadlines and they have enough unexpected things come up during the project. The last thing they want or need is someone who is wanting to "learn". Businesses are about making money and time is money, so anything to halt the speediness of a project, is going to be cut.

Don't take it personally. I hate holding hands with people during strict projects as well, adds an extra level of unnecessary stress.

the_Grinch

LeBroke beat me to it! When I'm in the thick of things the last problem I want is to be asked questions and you will more then likely have questions. Nothing against you, but there are plenty of things that can go wrong with projects like this and the last thing you want is to miss an item due to a distraction. On the other side, there is a such thing as volunteering too much. One of my coworkers jumps at everything and then he gets swamped so other things suffer. They allowed you to volunteer for one project so there isn't an attempt to hold you back and I am sure there are probably a few items that relate directly to your duties that you can focus on.

Edificer

Tbh, I never thought of it this way. I understand now.

Edit: In response to cyberguypr, mistook the reply button for quote.