37, been working since I was 11 (80's baby, started working pre 2000).
Job 1 1995 to 1999, newspaper sales boy. Walked around the CBD selling the local newspaper, 7 cents commission per sale, plus tips. Added a couple of delivery runs over the years until I hit 15 and we relocated.
Job 2 2001 to 2002, was identified as being at risk of long term unemployment and hired on a contract as a part of the team redeveloping the local Council website, as well as assisting in developing an interactive digital image library.
Continued studying, actually returned to year ten in 2002. Relocated mid year, enrolled at a new school, relocated before years end.
Relocation saw me trying to finish year ten, but the new school's enrollment department was all “too late for this year, you can start next year, but in year eleven due to your age”… left that school after a semester of being accused of only going to school to sell drugs, and before that I had only ever smoked weed.
Left school, ended up on another contract to design, implement and launch a logo for a local group seeking to connect with young people in need of extra assistance getting into industries.
After that contract, was put on “Work for the Dole” as a volunteer receptionist. During my mandatory working period, the governmental supported agency I was at got funding for multiple budgets cuts, resulting in only one employee remaining, I continued as his personal assistant as a volunteer after the mandatory period ended.
Moved again after they were closed, landed some work as a contractual cleaner. Protip, slurpee machines are disgusting.
Another move, another job – ended up in a café. During a night out, was mistaken as an off-duty employee of my local nightclub. Following another relocation, started studying Hospitality.
During studies, worked in a local restaurant as well as for a local caterer. Transferred for personal reasons, only to find that the learning schedule was reversed. Deferred, seeked employment and got a dream…
… seasonal contract, late 2004. This was ruined by an ex-partner. Relocated to escape him.
Started study and jobseeking again. No dice until 2009, started working at a gas station. Left in 2010 for a working holiday.
Between 2010 and 2012, I was a cleaner, storesperson, front hall porter, pathology porter, critical care unit porter, then came home to Australia.
2013, back to the gas station, but also new studies. Relocated in 2014, by 2015 had continued to work at the gas station, but also earned THREE diplomas… not able to use any of them because I was either over-qualified, or don't have any practical experience.
Took a holiday, because by this point I felt I had earned it.
2015 end, returned to the gas station, 2016 still had that but also was working full time as a car rental sales agent – those jobs were about 300 kilometers away from each other. Left that in 2017, still at the gas station.
2018, on top of a million other things happening in my personal life, still at the gas station until it closed in 2020.
Late 2018 onwards, was working in Hospitality again, April 2021 saw me working 7 days a week between two jobs on opposite side of town (a corporate gas station).
Left the Hospitality job August 2021 due to severe stress, depression, anxiety and exhaustion, stayed at the gas station and am still there, as a casual employee.
I grew up being told that hard work and studies will set you up for life. That is obviously a lie.
I wake up and have to drag myself out of bed, regretting that I hadn't died in my sleep. When does all my hard work pay off?
After 27 years, where is literally any of my reward for spending over $50,000 on improving myself? Where is my motivation to not kill myself? Especially since people have just gotten worse manners, to the point that I can't even finish saying “Good Morning” without being interrupted..?
Thanks for visiting my rant.