Dragging myself to work every day...

[Pose]

Is one of the most painful experiences of my life. How do you guys do it? Going to a job you hate every day, and knowing that isn't going to change for many years.

I'm currently working construction, 3-4 days a week, 7-9 hours a day. I can't take any classes this semester due to financial reasons (other than an EMT course in September), so I'm forced to work a job I know nothing about and hate.

I wake up at 6:30, take a 30 minute train ride into Boston, transfer on two other trains, and walk 1/2 mile to the job site. Takes about an hour-1:30.
After working for a bit, I find myself feeling as if I've been there all day...and then I realize it's been only 30 minutes. I don't know what I'm doing, so I can't even listen to music to help get through it...I have to stand by for directions every five minutes.

I can't get another job, because 1.) no one nearby is hiring, I don't have a car, and 2.) the only other place I was offered a job wanted to pay $7.00/hr.

I'm starting a volunteer program at a hospital soon, which will only be one or two days a week...and I thought that would be enough to help with the feeling of being imprisoned...but it hasn't.

/bitching.

How do you guys do it, honestly? What is your motivation other than the hope of being a physician/healthcare worker in nearly a decade? Do you have tactics for getting through the day painlessly? Please share.

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[ShyRem]

My motivation? I had bills to pay, and I rather liked having electricity, heat, and food. Besides, jail for writing hot checks just didn't sound appealing.

 

[Shrami]

I'm in the exact same situation Pose. The motivation comes from the hope that my future as a physician will be much brighter 😀 , and also I think I'll have a car soon to take me out of my current hellhole of a job. Looking for another one will be another headache - - one that I'm willing to take though.

 

[funshine]

working in an office doing data entry and analysis (and may I add, getting your salary cut to $7/hr b/c of funding issues with a vague promise that it's going to return soon) is not much better.

I don't really mind the actual work...i hate the work environment. I hate the fact that it doesn't matter what quality work I do or how much work I get done...and that the other people sitting around and socializing all day get more respect b/c they're older, have "worked" longer, and are more professional....which, btw, simply means they're really excellent at talking about nothing.

I so miss the lab environment, where people are genuinely engaged in their work and interesting to talk to. And where it doesn't matter if you have the professionality?? of a frog. I wish I had decided to work in an actual research lab instead of this pseudo-clinical research place

(I'm ranting too...I was just about to create a thread about how much work sucked and then I saw yours.)

 

[jbrice1639]

i'm actually working as a freelancer at the job i originally quit to do my post-bac...but the part-time job i was working after i quit was getting out of hand with horrible hours, so i had to come crawling back to my old job and ask them to let me work knowing that i had no interest in pursuing any type of long term career with them and that i just wanted to pay the bills til med school started...yes, it's nice that they let me do it, but believe me, it's tough to wake up and drag yourself to a job you've already quit once and work with people who know you don't want to be doing the job you're doing...

 

[Ross434]

Im working in construction, although its only a half hour commute. I think it's the most fulfilling thing in the world. Dont you guys get a kick out of seeing the results of your labor take structure before your eyes?

 

[45408]

Well, I've been landscaping every summer since 8th grade, but I like it as a summer job, and I really, really like not being in debt, so it's not too bad for me.

 

[Pose]

I cut my finger open on a metal stud this afternoon...almost fully took off the pad of my index finger. 8 stitches...blah. To make matters worse, the triage nurse didn't put down my allergies on the chart, so the nurse nearly had me soak it in iodine.

Anyway...You guys are right about the bills and such, and the fact that I have a job a lot of people would kill for. Can't wait to finally get into a working environment I actually look forward to, though.

Ross434:
I haven't really gotten to work to completion yet. I guess I could see how I'd enjoy it (seeing my finished work)...If only I knew what I was doing. It really bites not knowing what to do or what needs to be done, and having to wait for new directions every 5-10 minutes. I guess that will change with time.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[beavers03]

How much does construction pay? Is it significantly more than being an EMT? Or a lab assistant? teaching assistant? At least with the latter three, you'll be padding your resume while making $$.

 

[razen_x]

How much does construction pay? Is it significantly more than being an EMT? Or a lab assistant? teaching assistant? At least with the latter three, you'll be padding your resume while making $$.

I was thinking the same thing. Although job hunting is never easy, it might be worth looking for something you'd find more exciting. In Boston in particular there are a variety of health-related jobs that pay ok. Even if you have little\no experience, enthusiasm and making a good impression in the interview can go a long way.

 

[Pose]

I'm paid $11/hr currently. I really hope I can put my EMT to use after I get it. I know the hospital down the street from me is hiring ER Techs, and an ambulance company in northern Boston...no clue what the pay is yet. I won't expect it's too great...Perhaps still a step forward for myself, though.

Oh, and out of curiosity...For those that enjoy their jobs: where are you working?

 

[JayQuah]

I am working at a small start up company that offers courses to doctors trying to pass their qualifying exams. Its in London...I love it because of the small company atmosphere, the fact that everyone's job is really important...and I also get free internet and can make it look like I am being really productive.

I also strip in the evenings.

 

[Sundarban1]

Mass General Hospital is the largest emplyer in Boston (I just started). In the summer time is when they have the highest turnover and hire the most people. Look on their job website and find something cool. There are a ton of entry level research positions, etc. if you don't have experience.

 

[Shrami]

I also strip in the evenings.

You're kidding, right?

 

[JayQuah]

You're kidding, right?

if i was kidding, i'd say, a rabbi, a priest, and a minister walk into a bar...

 

[tigress]

I hate going to work in the morning, and my job isn't too bad. It's just not what I want to be doing. I've also decided that not having enough to do is worse than having too much. Some days I just sit around with nothing to do, and I have to pretend to be working. Some days I'm busy, and that's a lot better. Not only does the time go faster, but I feel like I'm actually doing something and deserve my job, and I don't feel like people are staring at me wondering why I'm here. I think my job will pick up in the next few weeks when my IRB submissions get approved. Also, the doctor is on vacation for the next two weeks so there aren't even patients to see, so that reduces my work load even further.

What keeps me going? I need the money and it's a good job. It's something to talk about in interviews. And what helps me the most is knowing that it's only for a year. After this year I'll be in med school working towards what I really want to do.

 

[trishaaa]

I work in clinical research and mental health in boston (not MGH, but an MGH-affiliated hospital) and I really do not enjoy it anymore. It was great for the first two years, learning new concepts, skills, etc., but now it sucks. We all complain about how little $ we make, but we all stay for the hospital's reputation and the experience (and the recommendations!).

I posted a few weeks ago about how I might quit, but I'm staying 🙁 The pharma companies I work with do send me on lots of trips-- lately, that's the only perk of this job. Oh, and I work in brain imaging so I get to volunteer for MRIs all the time and make extra money there. My last MRI paid for the Emory 2ary.

Glad to know I'm not the only one who dreads coming into work to face tons of problems every day!

 

[funshine]

I've also decided that not having enough to do is worse than having too much. Some days I just sit around with nothing to do, and I have to pretend to be working. Some days I'm busy, and that's a lot better. Not only does the time go faster, but I feel like I'm actually doing something and deserve my job, and I don't feel like people are staring at me wondering why I'm here.

agreed. It's amazing how much nothing you can do in a week. It's not liek you're relaxing either...I'm just frantically checking SDN, all my email accounts, NYT, and even old comic strips all the time while wondering when the next meeting is. We have several meetings a day...where nothing gets done, it seems. Honestly, if people just jabbered less and did some actual work, this project would be going somewhere.

And what helps me the most is knowing that it's only for a year.

A year is a very long time. I'm thinking about quitting whenever I finish my part on this project. Or when I get into med school. Whichever comes first. Then I'll do something fun before I matriculate.

 

[PineappleGirl]

I'm paid $11/hr currently. I really hope I can put my EMT to use after I get it. I know the hospital down the street from me is hiring ER Techs, and an ambulance company in northern Boston...no clue what the pay is yet. I won't expect it's too great...Perhaps still a step forward for myself, though.

Oh, and out of curiosity...For those that enjoy their jobs: where are you working?

Sorry to say most EMT jobs will not pay much more, especially if you've just got your ticket. Starting pay at most of the private ambulances is around $11.35-$11.50. But it might be a more enjoyable job for you.

Definitely check out the hospitals too after you get your cert.

 

[cfdavid]

Well, I've been landscaping every summer since 8th grade, but I like it as a summer job, and I really, really like not being in debt, so it's not too bad for me.

Yeah. I used to do landscaping and construction while in college (summers and holidays). The pay was good, and like ROSS said, I always found it rewarding to see the almost instant results. Plus, it was good excersise.

 

[Bluntman]

Sorry to say most EMT jobs will not pay much more, especially if you've just got your ticket. Starting pay at most of the private ambulances is around $11.35-$11.50. But it might be a more enjoyable job for you.

Definitely check out the hospitals too after you get your cert.

Wow, $11.50?!??! Most of the BLS ambulance companies in San Diego start around minimum wage (6.75) since the city hordes all the 911 calls for SD Fire. 😡 If you don't want to have to live at home, I'd definitely agree to check out the hospital critical care tech route...the pay is generally better, the shifts are generally shorter, *and* you get to chum up with all the docs.

As far as enjoying jobs, mine is pretty rewarding...I have a bioengineering position in industry at SAIC , but the company is purely research oriented so the work atmosphere is very academic like the chill feeling you get in campus labs.

 

[PineappleGirl]

Wow, $11.50?!??! Most of the BLS ambulance companies in San Diego start around minimum wage (6.75) since the city hordes all the 911 calls for SD Fire. 😡 If you don't want to have to live at home, I'd definitely agree to check out the hospital critical care tech route...the pay is generally better, the shifts are generally shorter, *and* you get to chum up with all the docs.

As far as enjoying jobs, mine is pretty rewarding...I have a bioengineering position in industry at SAIC , but the company is purely research oriented so the work atmosphere is very academic like the chill feeling you get in campus labs.

Well, cost of living in Boston is pretty insane. In Cambridge, there is a city-wide minimum wage of $10 an hour.

 

[Bluntman]

Word. Now I know what city to flip burgers in if this whole "doctor" thing falls through. 🙄

 

[45408]

I'm paid $11/hr currently. I really hope I can put my EMT to use after I get it. I know the hospital down the street from me is hiring ER Techs, and an ambulance company in northern Boston...no clue what the pay is yet. I won't expect it's too great...Perhaps still a step forward for myself, though.

Oh, and out of curiosity...For those that enjoy their jobs: where are you working?

Bad news on that front - I get $12/hr as a landscaper, but I only get $8 as an EMT, although you get paid better as an ER tech. The downside of that is that you often need a fair amount of experience to land those jobs (at least round here). I know a girl with no EMS experience who got a job as an ER tech, but she had ~2 years experience as a CNA.

I do like my EMT job though.

 

[45408]

Most of the BLS ambulance companies in San Diego start around minimum wage (6.75) since the city hordes all the 911 calls for SD Fire. 😡

You guys don't get the 911 calls at BLS companies? Wow, no wonder SDN thinks that EMTs are glorified taxi drivers. I'd kill myself if I had to do more than two facility transports in a day. Usually it's 911 for most of the day, and then exclusively all night.

 

[Bluntman]

You guys don't get the 911 calls at BLS companies? Wow, no wonder SDN thinks that EMTs are glorified taxi drivers. I'd kill myself if I had to do more than two facility transports in a day. Usually it's 911 for most of the day, and then exclusively all night.

Yea the San Diego Fire Dept (who contracts exclusively with one EMS company) takes virtually all 911 calls around here. So that means that they reserve all the EMT spots on those rigs for people with bunches of expereince already who want to mainly go on to become medics, fire fighters, or fire medics. *Sigh* I would have loved to do some field EMT work, but around here all (new) EMTs can do outside of a hospital is pretty much ferry old people and psych patients around.

 

[abraxas]

I am about $12.50 as a perdiem clinical technician... even though i am per diem i have been working 80+ hours a pay period the last two months because i am willing to take any shift no matter how long or short it is. But i must say that i would give up the job for a chance to work as an EMT on an ambulance, *grumbles* stupid insurance company not willing to insure ppl under the age of 21 *grumbles*

 

[45408]

*grumbles* stupid insurance company not willing to insure ppl under the age of 21 *grumbles*

yeah, I feel you on that. I got put through the wringer my first time looking for an EMT job. One place initially misled me by saying once I was 20, I could be a part-timer (because they won't hire you to be part-time unless you can also be a driver), but after sitting on my ass for three months, waiting to turn 20, they informed me that they meant TWENTY-ONE. 😡

So I got a job somewhere else.

 

[LJDHC05]

I dont know about anywhere else, but there are positions all over boston for clincal work and lab work that require little more than a BA or BS. You can get a clinical or lab research position for 13/hr at Children's or Dana Farber or MGH. I have about 4 friends in addition to myself that all did that after graduation. It's more secure than construction and it pads the resume. Seriously, just log onto any of the hospital websites and you can find something to apply to so you're not working construction in january in Boston, which sucks (from personal experience in the burbs as a residential contractor's assistant)

As far as EMT positions go, you should be good if you apply before college lets out as most of the private jobs get filled between April and May by college kids home for the summer. Depending on where you are in MA, you should get some emergency stuff, but if you're in Boston, the EMS dept handles almost all of the emergency calls and AMR mostly gets the contracts around the boston area to handle 911 overflow. good luck