He explained that his father's company (that he was VP of) was experiencing difficulties with their software being slow due to an ever expanding database of information.
Upon inspection, I discovered their database was a mess and their software was garbage. I explained that I would build a new app and rebuild the database from scratch.
I did this all the while having a full-time job at a dealership. I should also add that it was “tire season” at the time. This is the time of the year is when we swap winter tires for summer tires. I was the one who pulled tires from storage and put tires back into storage. In a season, we have roughly 220 tire appointments. Basically double that number and that's how many sets of tires I have to deal with in the span of about 2-3 months.
Suffice to say, getting home from work this time of the year, I'm exhausted. Yet, I still managed to do what was asked. During the week, I'd code for 4-6 hours a night and weekends would be roughly 20 hours more. This went on for 3 months. I should also add that 3 months was the timeframe/deadline. I managed to finish everything with 4 days remaining.
With how well I performed, they kept me around basically as a database administrator and to add more features to the app. Not nearly as strenuous as the initial 3 months, but some days did have a heavy work load after work.
Eventually they fired a data analyst and asked me if I wanted a shot at helping out. I love working with excel and spreadsheets, so I agreed. I did this in hopes they would hire me full-time eventually.
2 months went by where I was basically a database administrator, software engineer, and data analyst. All the while only getting paid $20/hour, I might add. I tried negotiating the pay at the beginning but my “friend” said that's their rate for outside help. Looking back, I should have walked away.
Anyway, as it felt less and less likely that they'd actually hire me as their official data analyst, I just couldn't do it anymore on top of my Dealership job. I looked at the agreement I signed and looked at the termination section. It said either party could terminate the agreement without notice or cause. So I did exactly this. I said my mental and physical health were suffering and basically went “byeeeeee!”.
This was 4 months ago. A couple days ago their lead data analyst (who was a sweetheart, btw) approached me and asked to see if I would come back to help with the software and database but with a much less expectation for work output.
It's now been 3 days and I never received a response for mine.
I should add that this subreddit gave me the insight to know my worth and to stand up for myself.
Thank you for coming to my TED talk.