CORPORATE AMERICA: MY 10 YEAR BID

Ya’ll ever held a position within a reputable company that you absolutely hated? Well, let me tell you how that was me for 10 years of my life (2006 – 2016), and how happy I am to be out of that position. Let me also tell you how I hated going to that job every single day. How I remained in the same position for nearly 10 years, and didn’t feel confident moving to another position, due to profiling, intimidation, racism, or just plain fear of being turned down.

Before Corporate America

Before doing my 10 year bid, in Corporate America in 2006; I had held numerous clerical, administrative, and labor intensive jobs. Since before High School, I have worked. Initially starting with a door to door job at age 13, I used to sell items like peanut brittle, flavored popcorn, covered nuts and raisins, etc… Entering High School, I worked a series of fast food jobs that included: Checkers/ Rallys (my first official job), Captain D’s Seafood, and also Kentucky Fried Chicken. Leaving High School, I then worked a series of clerical, administrative, and labor intensive jobs. The only issue I was having is that they never paid enough. I was raising a family, trying to continue my education in community college, and trying to make ends meet with a full time job. Very familiar with Staffing Agencies, I was told about my next venture via a high school friend that was currently working there.

Corporate America: The Beginning

I spent 10 years of my life in a position that I hated, and couldn’t wait to get out of. Now, don’t get me wrong, it paid the bills, had excellent insurance, and was so easy that a caveman can do it. I came in the door at the ripe age of 21. First starting out as a “Temp” (temporary employee). After spending about 9 months as a temp, I felt it was time to move along. Not that I was bored, but I was young and hungry for more. My next steps included applying for a series of other lateral and upward positions within the company; without obtaining any additional licensing or certifications. Being turned down time after time, after time, I was starting to give up.

I Got The Job

Then finally, an open position in the department for which I was a Temp., I was ecstatic! I applied for the position with all the poise and confidence because I was sure that I would get it. I was already in the Department and I was already familiar with the processes. Well, unfortunately, they had another candidate in mind. But I still didn’t give up. A few months later, another position opened up in my Department and I just knew this was my chance. Unfortunately, I didn’t get that one either. After that I began to explore outside of my Department to see what else was available for an un-licensed temporary employee.

At this point I had been to numerous 2 part interviews within this Company, just trying to get my foot in the door. I had already told myself that if I didn’t get it this last time, that I was definitely going to move on. To my surprise it had already been written in the sky for me. They offered me the position, during a makeshift, impromptu meeting and I gladly accepted. Being just 21, I thought that I was going to excel from there, and who knows, maybe I’d climb the corporate ladder with no real college degrees or official training. This was a real dream come true. This was ultimately the opportunity of a lifetime where I’m from.

Lack of Support System

One of the things that I can be honest about while I was employed here was my lack of a support system at home and at work. This played a major role in my successes and failures daily. Not having the right emotional, mental, physical support and resources from family and friends can definitely make or break you in all your endeavors. It left me unmotivated and somewhat depressed. Meanwhile, still raising a family, trying to maintain a relationship, attending school, and excelling in my position at work. It was extremely hard to maintain all of that. So of course I was going to fall short somewhere.

Stringent Licensing Requirements

In addition to have a lack of a support system while in this position, I was also paralyzed with fear of the stringent licensing requirements imposed by either the company or the industry. Though I wasn’t one who shyed away from studying or training of some sort; I just don’t agree with a self guided study regiment that lacks guidance or any type of support or direction. Now, don’t get me wrong, there are those who excel at this type of learning environment, but it just wasn’t appealing to me. The study materials was not user friendly, nor was it easy on the eyes. Coming in a set of 8 or 9 really thick books, this entire process was quite intimidating.

Corporate America: Company Culture

The overall Culture of the Company plays a major roll in weather you succeed or fail in a position as well. How the Company interacts with its employees will determine that individual’s moral and efforts. Working here I always felt funny walking through the halls staring at all the Affirmative Action posters plastered everywhere. It was a constant reminder that they are only hiring blacks because they HAVE to, and not because of what they bring to the table or their qualifications. Being constantly reminded that you are not in control of how far you go within the company. Frequently frowned upon because you didn’t possess the licensing and certifications that would allow you to increase your income and add true value to the company. Not even being allowed to move up, but only to make a lateral move within your current department. This is how the company was set up. I hated being capped on my income, and also pushed around within the workplace.

Corporate America: The Environment

Another factor that made my stinch in the big house a horrible one, was the environment in which we worked. I worked in Operations, in the Document Control Department. Within the first 5 years, my Department transitioned from having phones and scanners at every desk, to having one big expensive scanner, no phones, and lots of document prepping, touching, and filing, and was located on a totally different floor. The transition was an easy one, but not necessarily more efficient one. Also within the first 5 years, I had been blessed with the opportunity to perform other operations task within the company that gave me more skills and experience. I took on Multimillion Dollar Investment Advisors Tours, served as a member on our teams Efficiency Board, where we came with better efficiency plans for our department. I also excelled at the written communications and the data entry aspects, as I am a beast on the keyboard.

Performing like programmed robots, we processed thousands of pieces of mail daily. We worked with other departments crosstraining whereever the need is within the company. Sometimes working an upwards of 60 hours per week to get the job done. I am a hustler by nature, so this didn’t bother me at all, because my paycheck always reflected the work done.

Looking back

Looking back, I can honestly say that I gained some valuable skills working there. I learned to be more comfortable talking to strangers. I was able to hone in on my computer, and administrative skills. I met some really wonderful people who I am still in contact with – to this day! I also learned some pretty valuable lessons when it comes MINDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS. I became content in my position. I was accustomed to that every day hustle and bustle of making money for someone else. I was stuck in the rat race, for what seemed like an eternity. Though I am very thankful for everything I learned, and all the valuable experiences; I am still glad that chapter of my life is done and over.

At the time, it was the most money I had ever made in my entire life. In fact, it wasn’t until I was long gone from that position that I realized that they had a cap on my income the entire time. I never noticed the control that these major companies have over your life, for just pennies – which is your portion. Meanwhile, we give up our time, energy and efforts just to make somone else rich. I remember crying my eyes out when it was time to go to work everyday. I hated my job; but that didn’t stop me from showing up unhappy every single day. I vowed to never be in a position such as that one ever again in life. I vowed that I am worth more that the parameters that a position places on you. Once I moved to Jacksonville, I was then able to create my own cap for my income. I thought that $17.41 back in 2016 actually meant something. Only to look back and see that in I was making nearly $40 an hour as an indepent contractor, with the dream of working for myself.

Corporate America: In Conclusion

In Conclusion, I believe had I been able to utilize all of the available resources and support systems in the workplace that I could have been a better employee. I believe if the workplace was not filled with make believe phonies, and people who genuinely don’t care if you fail or succeed; there would be more people excelling and actually enjoying where they work and the work that they do. I also that if I were given the same opportunities to excel as my counterparts, that I too could have been another success story in this position and within the company.

I refer this 10 year stinch in Corporate America, as a prison bid because it was so restricting. It restricted the mind from looking past the current place. It restricted me from opportunities. It restricted and paralyzed me in the sense that I couldn’t get out of that rat race. I could not free myself from the shackles that were placed by corporate higher-ups. I couldn’t excape the glares, disgusting and snarling looks of those of a different complexion who thought they were better than me. I was in fear of losing what I thought was the most money I had ever made. I was trapped in fear of wanting and even doing better for myself, elsewhere. I allowed this position to trap me in a state of mind that didn’t allow my forward movement or progress. My 10 year bid taught me everything that I needed to know about what it is like to work so hard, just to make someone else tons of money. This time taught me what I am not willing to accept in my life and in my position.

I will no longer allow a position to have that type fo control over me. I would never again be paralyzed inthe workplace. I will not be told how much money I can make. I no longer wanted to contribute to the riches of others, without getting my first. Leaving the company I had a renewed feeling about life and what I wanted to offer the world.

Have you ever worked a position for along time that you absolutely loathed? I wanna hear from you! Let’s talk about the paralyzing ways the corporate big wigs try to get over on you and your time. Be sure to leave me a comment below!

Thanks for Reading!

www.KinderiaRenee.com

PS> Need a little more? Be sure to check out my post titled: Relocation to Jacksonville, where I discuss that $40 per hour independent contractor position mentioned in this post.