Workucation

I always hear that life is about the journey, not the destination. I'll buy that. With that in mind, would it be fair to say that it would be beneficial to take something, a souvenir of some kind, from each stop? Maybe. I've had eleven jobs since the age of 16. That means, I should have learned 11 valuable lessons over the past....5....okay 10...okay 15...let's just say over the past SEVERAL years.

My first job was in a record store. Working in a record store is really cool. That is, it's cool to work in a record store, unless you are a dippy girl trying to look badass in a Cramps t-shirt. My total lack of coolness was totally exposed when the manager, with her tight black jeans, leather jacket, hands full of skull and crossbones rings, and bleached Lita Ford hair gave me the once-over and said, "Those striped shorts [keep your mouths shut people, it was barely 1990] and Gap t-shirt are really adorable and all [said in the most condescending way], but they aren't appropriate for work." A week later, the owner called me and told me that I wasn't fired, I just didn't have any hours on the schedule for the next week...or the week after that...or for the rest of the summer.

Lesson Learned: When in Rome, no matter how much I do as the Romans do, I'm still an obvious tourist.

My next job was in a card/gift shop in a mall. The job itself was fine. The managers always seemed miserable and took it out on us. One manager, the mom of a friend who helped me get the job, was always very sweet. The rest of them, and there were MANY since turnover was so high, just seemed bent on making us miserable.

Lesson Learned: I decided that this was due to the fact that we, the teenagers, were there to make a few bucks an hour to pay for important things like shows, gas money to fuel all those nights of driving around, shoes, and hair products. They, however, were working there to feed their families and pay their mortgages.

Once I became an adult, my experiences changed. I worked at each place longer, was paid more (only slightly), and had more responsibilities. I won't bore you by describing each one, so here's the abbreviated version:

• Telemarketing job - Slimy businesses are usually run by slimy people.
• Office assistant - I really like those lunch trucks that pull up to the loading dock. Also, if your mom works, full-time, for the same company, you will drive her nuts each day making her worry that you'll be late, or worse, not show. [I didn't do either of those things...well, one of those things.]
• Country club - My supervisor was exhausting. She embodied toxicity in a team and became the icon I would use to indentify that type of person in any company. You know the type: Passive-agressive, emotionally fragile, starving for acceptance from peers, but is so socially awkward that s/he manages to offend everyone at some point.
• Sunday school teacher - There are some places where the people are so nice that they THANK YOU for being so thoughtful of the health of the children by calling in sick.
• Property management company - This is where I truly learned that I'm good at sales, not because I like sales (I actually kind of hate it), but because I love the rapport-building part. I also learned that my lesson learned at the country club was VERY applicable here.
• Retail store (asst. manager) - I was on the other side of the retail thing this time. I remembered how I saw the managers when I was a teenager. I didn't want to be friends with them, but I wanted to be friendly, and mostly, didn't want to appear miserable (even though I often was).
• School for kids with severe behavior problems - No matter how empathic I am toward others, I won't truly 'get it' if I've never been there and can't ever assume that I have. I was pushed to the limit with this job and it was the most exhausting and difficult position I've ever had...and I have since come to LOVE that experience.
• State position - One of the supervisors basically summed up a government job when he said to us during our unit's first meeting with him (and he was serious), "If you ever have any concerns or need anything, please feel free to talk to me. My door is always open....well, that is, unless it's closed. If that's the case, just check back and stop in when it repoens."

I'm currently working for a university. I'll be here for another year or so. We'll see what I take away from this...that is, other than may favorite pen, some cool paper clips, and any weight I gain from the frequent meetings that feature baked goods and/or soul food, and the endless supply of candy.