When I was a student, I took all the kinds of jobs that people do when they need fast and easy cash. I cleaned a lot of things. Kitchens and hotel floors mainly.
I wasn't great but I didn't really think too much about it as it was only short-term. Free food in these places though, so that was great.
In my early twenties, I had a job in a publishing company. The manager of my department was one of these old-school types who had started off in the company as a post boy at 16 years of age or whatever and then just became elevated to the department he was managing.
He had a corner office, big desk, huge sofa in his office, the works. I think these jobs were often referred to as 'jobs for the boys'.
This guy always claimed that his door was always open -- meaning he was willing to help anyone -- but his door was actually always closed.
I had to learn every part of the job on my own or by asking other people in the department. While the manager seemed to take fault in everything I did.
I can remember taking this personally and it actually got to me. I thought I was useless and a terrible person in the company.
Until I was talking to an older friend that I had at the time, who just put it very bluntly and described the guy in very short terms that I won't put here!
The next day I handed my notice in. I gave a full four weeks notice and fulfilled all the things I was supposed to do before leaving.
When I gave my notice, the manager gave me a kind of sneer of contempt and said that at last they could now find someone more suitable to do the job.
Maybe he did. No idea.
But I left and life got a little bit easier.
Good life lesson though. Avoid people who drag you down and try to make you feel small. They serve zero purpose to anyone.
