Just curious...anyone here a switchboard operator?

[Buckalew11]

Wondering how you feel about your job?

 

[Buckalew11]

just bumping for the morning crowd.

 

[AprilShowers]

I used to to operate the switchboard at a large furniture manufacturer. It was just part time, and I didn't mind it a bit.

If you're looking for stimulating, engaging work though, you probably better skip it.

I'm told I have a pleasing telephone voice, and I enjoyed the job while I worked part time. My kids were little then. I wouldn't have wanted to do it if I thought it was going to be my forever job.

 

[lecach]

I have to do the switchboard 1/2 of every day and all day when my supervisor is on vacation. I don't like it. I wouldn't have ever taken the job if I knew that it was required. But the pay and benefits are good. So I just suck it up and deal with it.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I used to cover switchboard during the operator's lunches/breaks at a large law firm I worked at a few years ago. I actually really enjoyed it when I had to do it. I wouldn't want to do it on a permanent basis though.

 

[buzzlady]

I covered switchboard for breaks/lunch. I liked it but wouldn't want to do it full time. You are tied to that phone and can't just get up and go to the bathroom or take a break unless someone covers for you.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Until recently, I was a backup switchboard operator. I would have to work late Friday and Saturday (8-12) once a month (at a bank). It wasn't horrible, but I am glad that I don't have to do it anymore.

 

[Buckalew11]

Hmm...
Thanks for your responses.

I've been at my job for 23 years and love what I do. But the older I get, standing on my feet all day gets tougher with each passing year.

This job is at a college and the big benefit would be free tuition. I have a 12yo who dreams of going to school there and although she could change her mind, I don't see it happening at this point. It would be a huge load off my mind to not have to worry about how much 26,000 tuition will go up in 6 more years.

I have strong ties and love for this college and I know I'd have enthusiasim for the job itself because of those things. But I wonder what something like that would be like day after day...
My job lets me be creative and since I am my own boss, I set my own hours. Working at home is a huge blessing in itself. But then there is tuition...

Thanks for the answers!!!

 

[jcsbama]

I hate it. Every job I've had, someway - somehow, I end up answering the phone. Rather it's part of my job description or back-up support. I hate talking on the phone so that might be why I don't like it. Somedays it's hard to get anything done when the phones are ringing constantly. Some people are cut out for it. I'm just not one of them.

 

[cats mom]

My college job was at a large department store. Most of the time I was in the credit office, but I did my share of shifts at the switchboard as well.

I liked working short evening shifts there (3 hours or so)
Not so fun when I had to cover for the full time day shift gal one week.

Too many "my project is top priority" management types around all day.
Only the store manager had his own secretary, the personnel manager and all the sales managers shared the switchboard operator.

But this was really more of switchboard operator/personnel secretary/Gal Friday position, as most of the time we didn't get enough calls to keep someone busy full time, but you still had to be glued to the phone just in case.

edited to add:
Boy that college tuition thing is one HUGE benefit!
I'm thinking I could find ways to make myself happy, even if it wasn't a job I absolutely loved, if I knew my DD's tuition was covered.

Good Luck deciding

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

My problem was that I had my own work to do and when I was answering the phones, it was hard to do both.

If I only had to answer the phone it wouldn't have been that bad.

 

[Buckalew11]

Yes, this job is pretty much just answering the phones, directing calls, doing faxes, answering questions. If I got the job I actually be managing several college students who'd be answering the phones as part of a work/study. Maybe that would help with the bathroom type thing! LOL

I am not someone who likes to talk on the phone (ask anyone who knows me!) but I have been told I have a nice voice and since I am from the north, I do sound a little different than people from here (who can have some pretty deep southern drawls!)

And yeah, that free tuition keeps calling my name! LOL

 

[arminnie]

You know those old movies where the switchboard operator is plugging lines into holes in a big board to connect calls? I've actually used one of those!

I think it depends on who is calling in. If it's the complaints area it is going to be very different than something else. My aunt worked the switchboard for an insurance company for years. She really liked it as she got to know all of the agents who called in from all over.

I would probably go for the job. Once you are hired and perform well there is usually the opportunity for advancement. I know someone who started at a major private school in a very entry position. She ended up getting her degree at night, then her MBA and now at 50 something is one of the top officers of the university.

That tuition thing is worth its weight in gold.

 

[Buckalew11]

You know those old movies where the switchboard operator is plugging lines into holes in a big board to connect calls? I've actually used one of those!

I think it depends on who is calling in. If it's the complaints area it is going to be very different than something else. My aunt worked the switchboard for an insurance company for years. She really liked it as she got to know all of the agents who called in from all over.

I would probably go for the job. Once you are hired and perform well there is usually the opportunity for advancement. I know someone who started at a major private school in a very entry position. She ended up getting her degree at night, then her MBA and now at 50 something is one of the top officers of the university.

That tuition thing is worth its weight in gold.

at the old switchboard operator scene! Makes me think of "one ring-dingy"
You know they have one of those in Spaceship Earth! My grandmother used to work one at a hotel on LBI.

Yes, it would be a foot in the door and I have thought that, yes, DD could go to college but, I could too! Ya never know!