Getting Credit for Programming Accomplishments? 148
An anonymous reader writes "I am a college student new to corporate culture. For the last few weeks, I have been working on a very large project: revamping our customer service website with tons of new tutorials and information. Recently, I got an e-mail forwarded from my supervisor of improvements that HIS supervisor requested. I am fine with compliments and complaints about my work. However, I realized in the e-mail that my supervisor took credit for the development of this content. I have been under his direct supervision in this whole process; much of the new content was his idea that I ended up implementing. Is it out of line to request that in the future I get mentioned for my work?"
You're part of a team now (Score:5, Interesting)
Your manager knows who did the work, and if he's any kind of a decent manager, he'll reward you for it, although the reward may not be readily apparent immediately. Perhaps when your manager moves up (partially because you made him look good), he'll remember that you're a dependable employee who produces quality work, and he'll bring you up with him, or put in a good word for you to take over the department he's vacating. Hell, maybe the guy quits to go somewhere else and ends up taking you with him.
If you are a good and dependable worker, and especially if you show you are more concerned with making the company better than you are with your own short-term gain, then you will go far. If you show yourself to be the kind of guy who constantly whines about not getting enough credit, you'll be kept down and eventually forced out. Don't be that guy.
Re:Pretty normal (Score:3, Interesting)
As for working 80 hours a week for a 40 hour a week job, well, perhaps they expected to work 80 hours a week and factored that into their pay. If management expects and demands the extra hours, then they can leave if you don't like it. If management doesn't demand those hours, than putting in the extra hours can help management come to respect you as a hard worker.
Re:Words of wisdom from Fight Club (Score:5, Interesting)
You have to realize that someday you will die. Until you know that, you are useless.
Re:It's not out of line... but think it through. (Score:1, Interesting)
I know it's hard to trust an AC but I am the original asker.
I think you jumped to conclusions with my question. I don't have a chip on my shoulder and I definitely don't expect 1m stock options. However, I am only getting paid $7 an hour for this work. So I am looking for ways to move up in my current work and get more money, as well as looking at other employment options. I never actually asked my boss for the recognition either, the responses here helped me get the big picture and realize it's an eventual raise or promotion that is my recognition for hard work.
And yes, my boss definitely does some stuff much more important than my small documentation project; I am quick to realize this :)