It is not uncommon for 20-somethings to change jobs. Moving up the career ladder, chasing a dream job at a start-up or just tiring of their current job are all reasons that prompt people to leave an employer. Since Americans are generally marrying and having kids later there is also less risk in leaving a job. In fact today companies even make it easier to leave with the replacement of pensions with primarily portable and employee funded 401k plans. Employees feel little attachment to employers beyond their current assignment.
None of these things really factored into my leaving my first job out of college, Enterprise Rent-A-Car. In fact some might say I didn't really HAVE a good reason. I was a year and a half into the job. I had been promoted twice, had a lot of responsibility and was making really good money for a 22 year-old. But alas I was not HAPPY.
As a honeymooner, married within the past year, I thought my wife and I should be blissful. That wasn't the case. Life together was hard. We were learning how to live together, pay bills together, cook and eat together and love together. It is no wonder people that cohabitate find it difficult to commit to marriage, it is HARD.
So what does all this have to do with my job? Everything and nothing. The job was decent but I just didn't have the passion for it. Amidst that troublesome first year of marriage I was expending myself on the job, climbing the career ladder and running the rat race. 50-55 hours a week on the job was very draining and I didn't have anything left to invest in what I WAS passionate about - Audrey.
It really is as simple as that. I didn't worry about the money. I didn't worry about the next job (I was unemployed for over a year) and I didn't really have a plan. All I knew is that if Audrey and I weren't right then the future was bleak. My Bible says to “enjoy the wife of my youth”. All I was doing to getting fat on all the good meals she was making, watching TV, going to sleep and going back to work. No Thank you.
Most people won't find themselves in this exact situation but I trust that everyone can find that one thing about their job that they said they would never compromise. My thing was time to invest in my marriage. What is yours? And more important, are you compromising?
Next time: Preparing to leave a job and what next
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8 comments:
You know Eldest...no matter how much I try to distance myself from you, it never ceases to amaze me that somewhere, somehow you got through to this thick skull of mine and I actually agreed with something you instilled in me; but only of course, after not listening to you in the first place...Some things NEVER change!
You once told me prior to graduating from HOBART (for those of you reading this, it's NOT a state school, don't go there), "...not to get stuck working for a paycheck." But as usual, I didn't listen and allowed my gargantuan school debt do my bidding for me.
But I want to thank you for putting those words in my collective thought process - because it allowed me to recognize the dire situation I put myself in out of college "job-wise" and allowed me to leave my last job without having employment lined up, only to procure a job a month later. I am now in line (hopefully) for a promotion in a field that can only help move me closer towards career fufillment.
Thanks man.
D
If you're going to leave your job than i feel that you should have a good reason. Your reason was a pretty good reason. If it's something that you are passionate about than you shouldn't let something you dont like stop you from that.
How did you decide if it was something that you really wanted to do?
Paige Chernogorec
Hey Larry,
i really like what you have to say. i think that it is true what you said about 20 year old people not wanting to change their job career. your insight was very helpful in showing me the right way.
As a 20 year old do you think it is alright to change career paths after already going to college that that certain career?
P.S.
i really like you as a teacher you are so wonderful. Dont worry your not that boring some times.
ok so i understand why you left the job...you had no time for your wife. But if u just got married wasnt there a lot of stuff to pay for? how could you just quiet without knowing if youll have enough money? but i compleletly agreee that fanily is more important then having money. i get you point i just want to know the answer to what i asked.
thanks much
Kristina Kohl
I think it is really important to enjoy the job that you are in. If you dont like it, then going to it every day is boring.
How did you live without working for a year ? Were you really tight on money?
I think that many people in some point in their life leave their job to find one that is more of an intrest to them. When we major in a topic in college, and suddenly lose interest in that topic, how can we afford to go back to school to learn something new with all the school loans?
WHOO HOOO!!
Larry, how are you this fine day...
ok well what i read was pretty interesting. I surprised your wife didnt leave you once you quit your job... haha just kidding but wasnt it hard to pay off your honeymoon and all your bills without a job. But at least you werent doing something you didnt like. but your a teacher now and your enjoy that quite alot... but i think you should be a singer... your singing ability is to good to be confined in the OPHS hallways =] haha well congrads on finally finding a job u enjoy
This is great info to know.
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