Pros
I have been employeed with AST for over 3 years as a Program Supervisor. As with any job and any employer, there are exactly two sides to everything. This can be negative or positive, depending on how you frame your mind.
Myth 1: AST is greedy
AST is a strong company that is here to stay. We are surrounded by smart people at the top who know how to make a business successful. This is a business afterall, and if you are looking for a secure job, AST is the place. I have read the negative reviews about management being greedy and only interested in money. This is ridiculous. This is a business people, and AST's management has to make tough decisions daily to make sure all of its employees continue to have a job at the end of the day. AST is not trying to replicate what happened to Wellspring. They are trying to keep our doors open. So when you here staff say, "I have not gotten a raise in 3 years", let's just try to think a little more positive and be grateful that we still have jobs.
Myth 2: Supervisors are overworked
Of course, everyone is! But this is true everywhere. Unfortunately this is the effect of a bad economy. The times have changed. Say goodbye to working 40 hours per week and hello to 45-50. This is just how it is. But it doesn't have to be so bad. It's all about setting limits for yourselves and finding balance in your lives. If you surround yourselves with negative comments such as "I'm overworked, I have too much to do, I don't have time for anything" then that will be your reality forever. I have the exact same caseload as every other supervisor, and yet I was able to find happiness in my job. Instead of listening to all of those negative comments about how overworked we are, I just say to myself, "I'm just going to try my best and work as much as I can today." This is all you can do. Work for today, not tomorrow or the rest of the week. If you can't get it done today, then that's okay. If you are going to make it as a supervisor here at AST, you have to remain positive. Don't get swallowed up in the negativity. It only makes things worse. You are what you think, so think positively and that will be your reality.
Myth 3: You can't advance at AST. There is no opportunity for growth.
Nonsense! There are plenty of opportunities. The individuals who are saying there are no opportunities are those negative people who can't take responsiblity for their own actions. They are not making themselves stand out among their peers. If you are going to advance, you have to make professional decisions. Present at conferences, be independent, write excellent reports. Don't walk around the office saying, "I'm going to continue to be negative today. I hate this job. But please give me a raise and a promotion." It doesn't work that way. If you make yourself stand out, you will be noticed and compensated for it.
There is no way I will leave AST at this time. There are tons of changes occuring in our field daily. AST is aware of those changes and knows the solutions. Be smart. You need to remain with a company that is stable. A company that can forsee obstacles down the road and knows how to make accomodations for those obstacles. Also, there are a ton of smart people here that you can take advantage of. Learn from them. Ask questions. Don't be that person that expects learning to come to you. I have heard several others saying, "I haven't learned a thing in a year." What have you done about that? What responsibility do you own? You are responsible for your own growth and happiness.
Cons
Waste:
There is a ton of waste here at AST. Too many supplies being ordered and too many staff not being mindful of how much they waste. I have seen others photocopy tons of colored documents, only to throw it out because the edges are not perfect. Talk about autism, most of the staff have 'autism' qualities.
Inflexible: They like photocopies to be perfect. If they are not, in the trash it goes.
Rigid: Too cold, too hot. The darn theromostat is set to like 50 degrees daily. Wasteful!
Non-compliant: Follow the rules about recycling. Staff just don't care about reusing things. Remember all of those colored documents being thrown away.....ever think about reusing them for crafts?
Attention Deficit Disorder: We have 20 different kinds of creamer, 5 different kinds of M+M's, and tons of extra stock on hand. And I can't find 1 salt packet????? Waste!
Anti-Social: Smile every now and then. Say hello to new people around the office. It's okay. And don't forget to look at their eyes.
Whining: There is way too much whining around here. Drives me crazy! Knock it off. We are all adults. Stop throwing tantrums and be happy.
I think if we apply a little ABA to our staff, then we can make this place more friendly and welcoming.
