If you're in the U.S. (as I am), it is not a profession I'd recommend in most places. You're exactly right that it's not valued, and the workload is frankly impossible. I just came off a spell of 70+-hour weeks ... and my contract is for 40 hours/week. I live in an area with high rural poverty, so my pay is pretty good compared to what most people make in the area (especially given that the cost of living is fairly low for New England), but once you factor in that I work 20+ hours beyond my contract each week and still leave things undone ... I'd probably do better managing a fast-food restaurant, tbh.
Of course, the pay isn't all, and honestly, I'm more frustrated by the idea that I should donate my time to my job, which I don't see being expected of other [male-dominated] professions where practitioners have similar levels of education and experience to me. But seeing my work as that of a skilled professional foremost and not a nurturer and caregiver (of which I am neither) is an uphill battle.
I actually became a teacher because of fandom, but being a teacher has certainly helped me in my "CEO role" in fandom for sure! :D
no subject
Date: 2022-10-05 01:37 am (UTC)Of course, the pay isn't all, and honestly, I'm more frustrated by the idea that I should donate my time to my job, which I don't see being expected of other [male-dominated] professions where practitioners have similar levels of education and experience to me. But seeing my work as that of a skilled professional foremost and not a nurturer and caregiver (of which I am neither) is an uphill battle.
I actually became a teacher because of fandom, but being a teacher has certainly helped me in my "CEO role" in fandom for sure! :D