Background: I used to work for a telecommunications company in Canada. I was in that career for 8 years, but always felt like I needed something more, and through volunteering, I found I was a natural with kids. I now work with kids.
Near the end in telecommunications, I got really depressed with work and life. I started to see that anybody could install people's internet and TV, and the whole customer service thing just felt so fake. Also, the more entitled a customer was, the more they got from customer service, where a lovely, not entitled customer got nothing, and that really grated me (I gave as much discounts and freebies as I possibly could to anyone mind. E.G. “Oh, I'm 10 mins later than was said, here take a free month of service”)
I left that career 3 years ago. I travelled for a year and then started a degree in teaching, for which I have 2 years left now.
On the side, I work as a community aide for a few children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
I fucking love my job. I need the money, but it's not the reason I show up. I show up because when I do, the kids face's light up, the parent's faces light up, and they keep saying how good I am. I even took a long trip to the UK for 3 months and they were completely fine with that, and for me to work with them when I got back.
That, and I'm actually making a difference for these kids. They're developing skills because of me, because of what I bring to the table that many others couldn't, and it feels amazing!
I just realized that this is all I've ever wanted. I just wanted to be appreciated for who I am, for what I bring to the table, and not just that I'm another human that can do what you want.