Well I can happily admit that I am one of the few that actually does like their job. The pay is well above what most people my age earn, the people are awesome, the hours are minimal and its great once to be able to look at life in a positive manner, rather than negatively.
About 12 months ago I was a different person. You could not even approach me without getting bitten at. I was a timebomb waiting to explode, all because of work. I was underpaid, working up to 12 hours daily, working through my lunch hour to meet deadlines and to show committment, all for nothing. My old company Heath Lambert, had recently merged with a global powerhouse insurance broker, publicly listed on the stock exchange. I tried to remain optimistic, unlike most other colleagues, that this new change would be fantastic, and I would have a wonderful career ahead of me. How wrong could one be? My first experience of this new company was the atmosphere. At Heath we all welcomed each other saying "Good Morning" even if we didn't like the other person. It was apart of the atmosphere. When we first arrived, and it would be the case for the next 7 months that I endured, no one would approach and speak to me. We never had any induction, formal welcoming or even basic lessons on how to use the new computer system package that this new company used. We were shown our seats and expected to adapt immediately.
I hated this new environment, and it got worse over the next 7 months, especially when I was told by several other colleagues that a new person would be coming in above me, and that I had never been thought of for the position, though I had been on that exact account for over 2 years, and knew it like the back of my hand. I also got told by another colleague, my best mate the reason I had not been offered it was "Because I was the admin girl, and always would be the admin girl."
In the final 3 months before my departure, I started looking for a new job. I applied for everything left, right and centre, with one goal, to get away from this company that had caused me so much distress. I didn't care where I went, I just wanted out. I would have left earlier, but had a car that I was paying off on top of the bills for every day living.
The going was totally tough those 3 months, as I was knocked back consistently as I was either too experienced for the position, or under skilled, and had to have my insurance qualifications, which I didn't.
It was one day when I was looking through the Sydney City Weekly that I stumbled across a small advertisement saying "Claims Role." I applied, had an interview with the General Manager of the company Kevin, before I proceeded to a second interview with my current manager, Renato. I was then offered the role, and given a very significant payrise.
I was very uncertain and skeptical of those around me when I first started. However after the third day I realised that these people were the nicest people I had ever met. I think what made it more comfortable was that the managing director David, had a chat with me about hierarchies, and that we were in fact all in this together, and that others may have more significant roles than me, but they were not better than me, and we were all even.
It was hard getting used to people chatting to me like I was a human again at work. I mistakingly was scared of two of the guys there, Peter and Andrew for no reason. This was resolved easily. Andrew came up to me with a drink on the Friday night drinks and wanted to know me, and Peter made it his right to sit next to me at a party, and start talking to me.
I have learnt alot from my experiences, probably the most important is being true to myself. Looking back now, I am actually glad that I experienced the 7 months of hell at my old company as it taught me a lot. I can only reflect back on it and say "If I had of left earlier in the piece, then this brilliant position I am in now would not exist."
12 months ago I was like a car without a steering wheel, all over the place with no direction. I have that now. I wouldn't be shooting a gun either and aiming for the Olympics.
I think the other significant factor is I have gone back to part time study, to better myself in life, and also to earn a better income. I also can happily say that this "only admin girl" no longer holds such a title.
