The Life Cycle of a Soul-Sapping Job

From enthusiasm to death.

Photo by Diego on Unsplash

I see the wide-eyed excitement of the new employees. I understand completely, because that was me seven years ago.

I was so nervous before my first interview, and thought I’d do anything to get my foot in the door— I’d mop the floors if I had to! This place is an institution, after all, and it’s an honor to be a part of it.

Surely most of these newly-hired folks feel the same way — some of them uprooting their lives, and moving across the country to work here. How thrilling that must be! And to tell friends and family that you are going to be working here. It is a proud accomplishment.

Of course, many of them may have been unemployed for long stretches, and may just be happy to be working. The pay isn’t great here, but it’s no easy feat to get a job in this declining industry.

The atmosphere is, well, quiet. There are no guffaws of laughter echoing through the office. Having been self-employed most of my life, I figure that’s how things have to be in an office environment — professional and low-key.

In my little department though, we are able to talk more, as we are separated from the larger office area. It can be fun, albeit isolating. Quite often, I am working alone, and do not see another person for many hours…