I think the key is that as companies start to understand the impact of having positions like this, they'll scale that with more people and resources dedicated to similar jobs, and we'll see the idea of "community" or "social media" get more integrated into the entire company so it doesn't rest on the shoulders of one tireless person.

As a community director, in many ways I also see it as my job to affect the INTERNAL evolution that's so important to long term immersion in a community mindset. It's about setting the attitude that everyone should be a community steward, not just people with community in their title. And if you build a culture of customer care, those same customers are amazingly patient with their demands for your attention because you've established trust, and the expectation that you WILL take care of them.

It's not just my job that's "unglamorous". Sure, I have lots of behind the scenes work. But I'd challenge you to find one person in ANY job that thinks their work is all glitz and glam, and not a lot of heavy lifting.

I, for one, am loving the hybrid nature of my job and all the areas of the business I can impact through my work. It suits me perfectly.

Thanks for the post!

Amber Naslund
Director of Community, Radian6
@ambercadabra

I think in any position, the bottom line is if you *love* what you do, it doesn't feel like work and therefore long hours don't really matter, as long as you're happy doing it.

I'm really passionate about helping people and solving problems, so while others may see these tasks as a pain, I totally embrace it. So it definitely *is* a glamorous job, so long as it's really what you want to be doing.

I don't think I'll burn out as a community manager, but perhaps as I get older and priorities change, my outlook may change as well. (I do doubt that a little though)