My Career – A Lesson In Survival

This post is brought to you by Spin Cycle and this week’s assignment – Survival.  See Sprite’s Keeper for more Survival Spins.

It was 1987 when I first joined The Company.  I was fresh out of college – bright-eyed and bushy-tailed – and eager to embark upon what would become “My Career”.  Little did I know at that time, that one day I would be fortunate enough to look back over a 20-year career with The Company.  Hopefully.

After college graduation, I sent out lots of resumes, completed lots of applications and went on many interviews.  I received a few offers, but it was The Company’s offer that I accepted.  I was impressed with the managers who interviewed me and even more impressed with what the recruiter from the Human Resources department had to say. 

I started out as an Accountant in the Loan Administration department.  I was scared and nervous at first, but I quickly made friends and learned the job.  What I thought was the hardest thing I ever had to learn, turned out to be the easiest job I’ve ever done.  I could do the reconciliations with one hand tied behind my back.  I loved it.  I made my reputation by putting my head down and getting the work done, timely and accurately.  I found the work easy and enjoyable and quickly built a good reputation in the department. 

The friendships I made in my first 4 years with The Company turned into life-long friendships.  Bill trained me in my first job.  He taught me everything he knew.  Our careers have come full circle and we find ourselves working together once again.  John was my supervisor back in those days and yes, we are friends still today.  We’ve shared careers and life events - John, Bill and I.  And we’ve seen each other through some tough times at The Company.

I left the tight knit family that was the Loan Administration department for greener pastures in Corporate Accounting, when I accepted a promotion in 1991.  It was in this job that I learned some hard and true accounting.  My boss, Judy set high expectations, but always ensured I had the tools I needed to meet them.  I loved working for her.  I stayed in Corporate Accounting until the fall of 1992 when I left The Company and moved away from the area.

In 1994, I found myself moving back to the area and I desperately wanted to rejoin The Company.  I called John and Bill right away.  They knew of an opening in the Performing Loans department and recommended me for the job.  I got it and was happy to be back in the field where I excelled.  Things were different at The Company with technological advancements, new processes and new faces.  I caught on quickly, yet met some adversity.  Some of the new faces, didn’t appreciate me coming in and taking the lead on some projects.  There was jealousy, but at the time I was oblivious to it.  I would learn later how in depth the jealous would become.  I worked in the Performing Loans department until 1998.  I was discouraged to be passed over for a promotion and started looking elsewhere in The Company.  It was about that time that my former boss, Judy called.  She had an open position that she was unable to fill.  In spite of the fact that I did not have the proper qualifications, she felt that she could teach me the job.  I met with her and accepted her offer.  It was a promotion for me and an opportunity to learn something new.

I hated that job.  Fortunately, my respect for Judy gave me what I needed to keep at it and do the best I could.  But it really wasn’t my niche.  Again, things changed.  New management came in and a reorganization was happening.  My position was going to be eliminated.  Judy looked out for me, though and started grooming me for a Budget Analyst position.  She offered me that job and I gladly and thankfully accepted.  It was a good job and I enjoyed it.  I had a lot to learn, but had good resources.

I worked the Budget Analyst job for about a year until things started to change once again.  Again, new management came in and wanted to put their stamp on things.  I could see the writing on the wall and feared that my position would be eliminated.   I started browsing job openings.  I talked to my old friend, Bill and he told me of a Supervisor position that would be posted soon in my old department, Performing Loans.  It sounded perfect for me.  I applied and with recommendations from Bill and John, I got the job.

My new boss, Russell, was fantastic.  I loved the work and it was in this job that I got close to and fell in love with Blue Eyes.  Things couldn’t have been better. 

Until.

Fatty Patty reared her ugly head.  I had known Fatty Patty for many years.  I liked her and thought she was smart and talented.  That’s because I’m really really really really naive.  Stuff started happening.  My staff started to withdraw from me.  People were scuffling around me and a lot of whispering was going on.  Fatty Patty was making subtle digs at me during meetings.  I held my head high, hoping it would pass.

It didn’t.  It got worse.  Fatty Patty started talking to my staff and told them lies about me.  They withdrew from me further.  FP then moved on to management and told them lies about me and my work.  Russell backed me the entire time.  Without his support, I would have cracked.  Russell’s boss didn’t have my back.  He viewed the “issue” as a personality clash between Fatty Patty and me.  I wasn’t quite sure how it could be a personality clash when I was not a participant at all in what was going on.  I kept my head down, kept my work and interactions professional, and let everything roll off.  It got more and more difficult to do.  The backstabbing and career sabotaging that Fatty Patty was doing to me, got much much worse.  I was crying at home on a daily basis and feared that I would get fired based on a bunch of lies. 

Still, I held my head high and hoped to come out of this mess smelling like a rose.  I’d have a lot more garbage to live through to get to that point though.  I finally decided that I needed to get out.  In spite of my love for the work and my wonderful relationship with my boss, Russell, I knew it was time to move on. 

I started interviewing for new positions.  It was about that time that Russell’s boss and the other managers finally wised up.  Human Resources met with Russell and me at Russell’s insistence.  They wanted to hear my side of the story.  It was hard.  Until that point, I had never spoken a negative word about Fatty Patty.  And I guess in that meeting, I still didn’t.  I just stated the facts. 

I confided with John what I was going through.  He told me about a position in his unit and recommended me to his director.  I met with her and was offered the job.  I was elated.  Not only was I getting away from Fatty Patty, but I received a promotion and an opportunity to learn a whole other side of the business.  A fresh start.  I loved the people I met on my new team and welcomed the new challenge.  It was a terrific move for me.  I worked in this job as a Transaction Manager for 2 years.  And then…as always…new management, new technology, and a change in the market resulted in a change in my job.  I could see that my position would not be needed much longer, so once again I looked to move on. 

Again, my friends helped me.  Bill contacted me this time about a position in his unit.  I felt it was perfect for me.  I’d be working for Really Nice Guy and I knew I would be good at the job.  I applied and got the job.  And yes, I love it.  I’m a Risk Analyst and I simply love doing the risk analyses.  I’m good at it and the position offers the work/life balance that I need.  My boss, Really Nice Guy is in fact a really nice guy. 

I’ve been in this position for 2 1/2 years now.  And I still love it. 

Much has changed at The Company in just the past 6 months.  Positions are being eliminated.  In fact, Blue Eyes’ position was eliminated in September and he is having no luck finding a new job.  I fear that my position could be eliminated one day in the future, although I have been reassured. 

In September, I will reach my 20th anniversary with The Company.  Over the years, I’ve survived position eliminations, back-stabbing, career sabotage, reorganizations, and more.  I’ve also met my one true love in Blue Eyes and also have made lifetime friendships with Bill and John.  It’s been a roller coaster.  But for the most part, I’ve loved my work and feel like I’ve done some good.

I hope I can make it to see my 20th anniversary.

I hope I can survive.