Career Advice

Hey, I got back yesterday evening.

You know how many people I've heard say "I'm not meant for 9 to 5"? If I had a nickel for every one, etc. so on…

Very few people really "love" the daily grind. Some people are lucky enough to have their job coincide with their passion and some aren't. Some people find that when their "passion" becomes their "job" the pleasure is sucked out of it! It's possible to feel utilysed and even fullfilled by your "9 to 5" but you have been assuming that you would just fall into this perfect blend of paycheck and passion and it probably ain't gonna happen like that. You know what I always say..it all comes down to expectations. Humans are the only animals who can for sure be said to "expect" things. Therefore we can rarely "make the best of things"! We have a hard time deriving value from those things that don't meet our expectations.

Given that…your current work situation sounds crappy with a capital C. I say start looking NOW for something better. Maybe it's not finance. Maybe the pay isn't even that great but do you want good pay or less misery right now? The reason I think you should get out of this situation as soon as possible is not about training and scheduling. The hours are ridiculous but the biggest reason is because such an environment, the longer you stay in it, the more it gets under your skin. You don't want it to get inside you. It will affect your attitude when you move on. Either you will have adapted to the situation, to your detriment, or you will build up so much anger that you will carry that anger with you to each new job…expecting the worse and having the attitude that shows it.

People rarely stay with their first job out of college for long. It's a stepping stone and a learning process. Obviously it will not matter how much you put into it or how seriously you take it given such a work environment. With a situation like that if you try to "excell" you know what will happen? You will be ostracised for trying to make the slackers "look bad". There is no room for growth in a place like that. There is nothing that you can do but to try to do the tasks you are given to do without trying to overcome an untenable situation. Bide your time and find something new as soon as you can. The culture is the culture…it is out of your control you can pretty much guarantee.