This post is coming a week later than I originally planned. Unfortunately, I rang in the New year with a cold and spent the first week of 2024 recovering. While it sounds like I kicked off the new year on the wrong foot, I’m actually off to a good start. Before I get into the now, let’s take a quick look back at 2023.
This time last year I was working at a good company but for a bad manager. Because of this, I decided to become a flight attendant for the second time and started training in April. I had always wanted to work for this company because I believed it was better in every way to my first airline. Well…it wasn’t. In fact, it was a lot worse.
You know the adage “never meet your heroes,” right? Well, it applies to companies as well. Never work for a company you hold in high regard! It also didn’t help that I had worked for a company with a strong union, and the difference between a union (good union) and a non-union airline is significant.
A few of my friends were thinking about jumping ship from the airline we once shared, and I vehemently protested. The grass is never greener on the other side and in this case, it’s very toxic: no job protection, no flexibility, no trust between employees, no flexibility, work rules that change based on company mood, no flexibility! Add to this mix the fact that becoming a flight attendant for the second time was more a reactionary move than a genuine desire to return to the skies even if I stated otherwise.
By the time I received my schedule for September, I decided it was time to go. I gave my notice, handed in my badge, and walked out of the airport happy.
I wasn’t ready to return to a full-time office job just yet. I began searching for a part-time gig that would cover the fundamentals: rent and groceries. I learned how to budget and live within my means, so I was prepared to work part-time for a year while I figured a few things out.
Within two weeks, I found what I was looking for. The hours were great (Mon.-Thurs. from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.). The location was super convenient (Midtown, with the E train leaving me right in front of the office building). I was ecstatic, so I posted a photo of the building entrance on Instagram. What could go wrong?
Why the fuckity fuck can’t jobs be easy? You go in, do your job, and you leave. Easy peasy, right? Nope. A week into the gig the CEO says to me, “Vanessa, the [office manager] is territorial. I really do hope you stay.” We were having lunch after a site visit, and all I could do was stare at my Old Fashioned in my right hand in disbelief at what I just heard.
Honestly, what the fuck was I supposed to say to that? “Sounds like a you problem. Keep the bitch on a leash!”
Who’s territorial about work? Anyway…
It’s October, folks. The holidays were right around the corner, and I didn’t want to start looking for another job again. I decided the best course of action was to file the CEO’s statement in the back of my mind along with something else that was said when I first started, “The previous assistant just left, never gave us a heads up.” I have never had a job present me with so many warning signs within my first two weeks.
I also decided that I would keep quiet and try like hell to make it through the end of the year, and then start my job search anew in 2024.
A good plan, right? Maybe? Definitely not. On top of having to watch out for the office manager, who was none-too-pleased with my absence at lunch (these people ate lunch together every single day–who eats lunch with their colleagues every single day?), I had to cover my ears at the never-ending immigrant bashing from the Trump-loving CEO (everyone in that office was a descendant of immigrants, by the way).
While I hated myself for turning the other cheek at the never-ending comments about immigrants for a paycheck, I couldn’t ignore the fact that the office manager stopped speaking to me and started cutting me off mid-sentence when I spoke. That started the week after Thanksgiving when I told her that I wouldn’t be joining them for lunch because I had a personal appointment.
It just snowballed after that. So on December 11, I called out sick. I was supposed to get paid the following day, so I called out sick again. I made sure my direct deposit cleared and never returned. Yes, folks. I pulled the same stunt the previous assistant pulled: I ghosted a job.
I hope you’re dying of laughter because I sure as hell am as I re-read this post for errors.
It’s situations like the ones I experienced in 2023 that underscore the importance of having an emergency fund. An emergency fund will allow you to make bold moves in uncertain times.
Unfortunately, my emergency fund wasn’t going to hold me for long, so I ramped up my job search. There were a few bites, but I received more rejections during the week and a half I was applying for jobs than I have ever received in my working life.
All I needed, all anyone needs in these situations, was one phone call. I received two, with one turning into a job offer.
I maintained a level of confidence and optimism throughout my professional roller coaster of a year only a lottery winner could relate to, and I can only attribute that confidence and optimism to Fortuna, the Roman goddess of good fortune, who stayed by my side in 2023.
It sounds cheesy, but I was exceptionally lucky in finding work quickly even if it didn’t always pan out.
So, what do I have planned for 2024? A lot. But I want to move in relative silence because I want to see how everything I want to do pans out.
Out With the Old, In With the New
Out with last year’s work-related chaos, and in with a new job that I hope will bring me nothing but good things.
The company I work for has been around for over 100 years. The office is in a great location (Financial District). I love this area because it’s not as crowded in the summer as Midtown. The office is beautiful and big, with stunning views of Downtown.
To top it off, the company’s benefits are some of the best in the industry. We have unlimited PTO, which means absolutely nothing to me right now since my #1 goal for 2024 is to replenish my emergency fund. The company also offers a hybrid work schedule: three days in the office, and two days at home. There are some employees who are fully remote. I appreciate the opportunity to work from home but because my apartment is small, I’ll be in the office five days a week.
The most important thing is that my manager and the other two executives I support are very chill. My manager and I had a great conversational interview in December, which lead to me being offered the position the day after we spoke.
I genuinely have a good feeling about this opportunity, but I’m also experienced enough to know that people and work environments change without much notice.
What can I say other than wish me luck?
So, wish me luck. Tune in for the adventures. Happy New Year, everyone!