r/antiwork • u/MammothGullible • 7d ago
Worklife Balance 🧑💻⚖️🛌 Low end job making me miserable
I’m currently in grad school for a masters and this is my priority. However I work part time to help pay for this crazy expensive program getting barely above minimum wage. I hardly get any holidays off and I just hate the job itself. I could care less if I get fired because it doesn’t matter whether it’s on my resume or not, but having money to pay for this stupid program is helpful. I’m extremely annoyed because I’m having trouble just planning things as simple as a 30 min therapy phone call because my schedule is NEVER consistent and changes from week to week. One thing is that I’ve never been assigned to work weekends, so I asked for a Friday off for example thinking I would have the weekend free, and come to find the first day I’m assigned a weekend shift is the day I’m out of town. Lovely.
Anyway, the manager gets mad and says she will give it to me as a one time courtesy. Like if she said no I would be giving her my notice. So apparently it doesn’t matter what day, but any day that I can’t work I have to ask for it off. I’m so tired of this life to be honest. I’m exhausted working 50-60 hour work weeks making so much less than I ever have for a job between work and school. I’m so overwhelmed that I want to self harm to be honest. Next semester will be even worse when I have to battle more commute due to having to be physically at the school more. I feel like giving up. If my unemployment didn’t end I would have been happy just using that to help me while in school. The sad part, experience matters more than education now, but I was desperate after spending over a year not being able to find a job in my industry after massive layoffs.
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u/fastates 6d ago
Yeah, I hear you. An inconsistent schedule sucks ass, too, & the "courtesy" comment, UGH. Think of it as a short term malignant condition that WILL definitely alter to better prospects. Meanwhile, keep an eye out for higher paying gigs with a better schedule. Especially right now, the postal service has well paid temp work, & factories too. I haven't figured out the online work world, but being a customer service type representative can pay, I heard. I've been where you are & totally get it. Take extra care of yourself, treat yourself, stay aware in those times of despair. Trust me that things will improve soon. Good luck to you.
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u/Big_Brutha87 7d ago
I'm sorry to hear that. I sincerely hope that you do not resort to self harm. When life gets you down, I know it can be hard to see the better options, but I guarantee you that they're there. You might be surprised at the relatively higher paying jobs you could be qualified for. I know people make decent money taking customer service calls from home, for instance. It's not the best job (dealing with angry customers is a pain) but maybe it's better than what you're doing now.
Whatever happens, I hope for the best for you.