I posted here a few weeks ago about the current situation I face regarding my employer. A short re-cap, 25 M, African descent, Fortunate enough to have had a good education, and currently Interior Architect Graduate.
A short introduction to the current economic threshold here for you all, I am the youngest in the office. The rest of the team 2 Architects and 2 Engineers are well over at least 6 years older than I am. The Average salary between them is 1 Million Tanzanian Shillings ( 428.52 US dollars) per month at this point. With the highest paid being 1.2 Million Tanzanian Shillings. Laughably yes maybe, but this is the most common salary bracket for “educated” individuals. I earn 293$, pushing Tsh 650,000. (No insurance, no bonuses, Sick days a must to bring in doctor notes, working till 9pm most times) . Note: 5 employees have left the company between 2017-2022, i have spoken to 3 of them and the dame thing applies, the company is after profits and does not care about the individual.
I joined this place not because I thought they would pay well, but quite the opposite I was looking for in-field experience, teachings, a mentor (of whom resigned as I was coming in), someone to guide or rather show me ins and outs of the construction industry. The first few months went well, although distraught by the fact that the person I was hoping would be my mentor left, I decided to hold strong and learn from the rest, right? yea well apparently older folks don't like to be asked questions, hell try getting them to help you with something on a project. It's a “you on your own” vibe here, the boss chucks out projects individually, not considering the scope. only when is there a mistake or miscalculation will he start to look at me and ask why I didn't reach out for help.
This slowly built up a “fuck-it” mentality in me, you won't delegate the project evenly? fine. Want me to initiate teamwork with people older than me? sure I can, depends on their openness. Refuse to provide the benefits you set out in my interview? fine, ill show up late most time.
I am starting to feel trapped in this cycle.
I am looking to resign, well that's if I had a contract. but all be it, leave early next year. Maybe look for a different workplace and actually start caring about my career and workplace.