Work

This is the exercise on Work. I didn’t finish it but I’m posting as a record. It is a good exercise and does inspire quite a few stories. Maybe I’ll come back to this at some point.

• List as many past jobs that you’ve held as you can think of.

1988-1990 – Clerical at Family Physician’s office
1990-1991 – Macy’s Credit Department
1991 – The Commercial Bank
1991-2000 – Carrollton Federal Bank
2000-2004 – Stay Home Mom
2003-2004 – West Central Technical College
2004-2016 – University of West Georgia
2016-2018 – Amtrak
2018-Present – Georgia Institute of Technology

• Are there any particularly funny, horrifying, or heartwarming moments you strongly remember from any (or all) of them? Jot some of your favorites down.

I thought I wanted to be a doctor until I managed to get thrown up on one day at the doctor’s office. Watching someone getting stitched for a chainsaw cut didn’t bother me at all, but the vomit did.

The best story from Macy’s was the Christmas Eve another lady and I were locked in after closing. The credit department was the last to leave and security forgot about us. They locked up and set the alarm and left. We had to set off the alarm to get someone back there to let us out.

Working at the bank feels like a big chunk of my life, even though now I’ve been in higher ed much longer. I learned so much banking though about work and leadership and learning. There are so many stories and memories with the amazing people I got to work with and opportunities I was given. I wouldn’t know where to start.

• Are you currently fulfilled at work? If so, why or why not?

Mostly, yes. I always want more and appreciate the extras I get to do like conferences and committees. I’m also ever aware of retirement approaching and I want to push to get my salary to a higher level for those purposes.

• What is the best job that you’ve ever had? Why do you think you liked it?

I have had “best job” experiences at all the jobs I’ve been blessed with. I wouldn’t pick one necessarily. I’ve learned and had exceptional experiences everywhere. That said, the job I have right now is the best one right now. I am incredibly blessed. I am a part of the best team I’ve ever been on. My team is smart and fun. I get to do all kinds of cool things. I have great flexibility (which I love) AND I get to work from home full time.

• What is the worst job you’ve ever had? Why did you take it (or stay longer than you wanted)?

Just like above, there have been low points in every job. Most of them had to do with bad leadership and/or circumstances. I made the best of every situation I could and I always stay too long. Mostly, I have hope that things will get better, but I also stayed too long for benefits at one place.

• Does a part-time or full-time position suit you better? Why?

Oh definitely full time. Idle hands are not good for me at all. I like to stay busy.

• What are your work values? Think of values that bring you emotional fulfillment (being challenged, helping others, influence, etc.) as well as external things that you value (high earnings, job security, having adequate time away from work, etc.)

• What is your dream job?

• What if you thought of your work as a calling instead of a grind (even if just for now)?

• Are the internal values more or less important than the external things you receive?

• Do you feel like you need to work toward a change in your career or vocation? Why?

Advertisement