This is just a few steps above slavery
There are times where we find ourselves in damned if you do and damned if you don’t situations. Too often at times we may feel that we are tugged from all different directions, and rather we like it or not, we have hold our chins up, smile, and act as if we hadn’t just been screwed by someone or something. No way. I’m going to bitch. I think I have plenty right to. If your curious, the story starts like this. I work at Cracker Barrel in Franklin Kentucky. Last Week when I view my schedule, I found myself wanting to pull every strand of my hair out when I discovered that I had to work my crappy, unruly, sickening, pathetic, last resort waitress job during my very first week of college. Come on, as if I Hadn’t suffered enough during the summer, and if I do recall correctly, I asked for this entire week off . I thought it would almost be implied that one’s first week of college is usually complete chaos. But with no ability to feel sympathy, my boss has yet again pulled a fast one and scheduled me to come in at 4 and work till close everyday of the freaking week. My boss knew I had a class at 4 every Tuesday and Thursday. I printed out a copy of my schedule for his own keeping. Should I had fucking framed it for him? I have no idea what’s keeping me from punting his kid. So, With terrible feeling, I trudged through this week and broke the constant urge to cuss or at least held it under my breath. God forbid I got any sleep. I remember asking myself over and over again, why do I get this treatment, all I wanted to do is better myself. Why do all college kids get treated as if we have no other life outside work. I belive employers should be extra flexible on students enrolled in school because we have less time to spare, than most adults.
One day on my 30 minute drive to my job, I began to think to myself, and I realized a sad truth, every job is like this, every job I’d ever had. A job that is flexible enough to give you convenient hours merely doesn’t exist; on second thought not many jobs exist period nowadays, yet I still couldn’t help feeling alone. I waited and prepared for college for 13 years now, and on this glorious week I felt unnecessary stress that made me sick. And I was already behind. Right before I left I remember looking at people sitting on benches here at Western and talking to friends, laughing, and looking as if they were settled and just waiting for the night to come with really nothing to do until then. And the worst feeling suppressed me, a feeling of helplessness, I HAD to go to work, and I HAD to act cheerful about it, I kinda felt like an outsider tapping on a glass wanting in so bad. I think It was the first time in my life that I actually wanted to stay home (or my dorm) and do my homework.
Some of you might feel me. A safe bet says that most of you guys are begging me to stop bitching about my job and quit already. That would solve everything, I could just find another job so easily, perhaps one closer and less life-controlling. Chyea, maybe in the 1980’s or 1990’s. At this point, with the economy, and the “debt” we own, it’s surprising to me that I even have a job at my age. And Finding another job would be like finding a leprechaun in Ireland (if your into that kind of jazz). At this point some of you might be wondering why I make such a big deal out of a job, and why it’s so important to have a job during college. Get a grip busta, most college kids have to work their way through college, with little support from their parents..
I guess my Main focus would be to spread the awareness that jobs in general, expect way too much from college kids who, they know damn well, doesn’t have a lot of time to spare. I’m not asking for special treatment, I’m asking for some slack or at least show some soul. This should have been a golden rule a long time ago. Education always comes before work.It should be implied by now. And this rule gets broken too often. Which, could very well explain the lack of management shown in these crappy little life-consuming jobs. I tried for laws to support my case, but sadly, I couldn’t find a single law to back me up here. Which is a freaking problem. Every employer knows that they have you by the leash and even though they’re poor managers, they know that you’ll put up with the bull shit because where else is there to go?
Sometimes, after busting my ass at work , I come home, and I realize that I lose more and more hope towards humanity. I don’t understand how these people sleep at night knowing that they’re breaking the very last limb someone might be holding onto, I don’t comprehend even the slightest to how Managers could hold such a higher rank than others and show such poor management. If I really wanted to be a bitch I could say that those same people envy the young, they could be jealous of our opportunity to better ourselves, whereas bad decision making destroyed their chance.
To sum it up, It was bogus that I’d worked my ass off last week, even though I had asked for a break from work. Maybe I shouldn’t question since I’m lucky enough to have a job? But it has always been my nature to question if I feel ’'m treated unjust. Or maybe I shouldn’t bite the hand that feeds? But wait.. I’m a server.
Food for a thought…
By: Haley Jones
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Thesis: Part time jobs expecting too much from already worn down college students.
ReplyDeleteReasons: 1.Jobs aren't trying to work with students and thier school schedule.
By:Haley Jones
Working: I like your main point and how you say jobs are not trying to work with students. I agree with you on this and think it is pretty whack that they will not try and work with you.
ReplyDeleteSuggestions: I would revise how you address students with rich parents, because you dont know how many parents are actually paying for their childs college and who are not, no matter how rich they are.
By Blake Allen
Working: I understand where your coming from with trying to ballacne work and school. I own and operate a small buisness that I've had for going on seven years now and at times it is almost impossible to get in the time you need for working and the time you need for school work. Look at it this way, it they aren't willing to work with you and your schedule then you shouldn't be willing to work for them. If you are worried about finding another job, look at jobs that you wouldn't normally look at.
ReplyDeleteRevisions:Don't assume that every kid whose parents have money have their expenses paid for by their parents.
This is an interesting topic, Hayley, and your comment that "I kinda felt like an outsider tapping on a glass wanting in so bad" is especially moving. I'm also glad you address the question/counter-argument of quitting since it's an important one.
ReplyDeleteBut, at the same time, your essay feels unfocused and disorganized right now. Your thesis isn't even as clear as it needs to be, especially since it's not yet written as a position statement but rather like a topic.
This is a topic, not a thesis: Part time jobs expecting too much from already worn down college students.
Your reason--Jobs aren't trying to work with students and thier school schedule.--actually gets you closer to a thesis. Why don't you try to make a new thesis using the word "should." Something like this: employers should be more flexible about the schedules of their employees who are still in school." Then, once you have this thesis, you should list the reasons you feel this way, and organize your essay around these reasons. If you only have one reason, talk about one piece of evidence to prove these reasons at a time.
Also, you need to spend a good deal of time fixing the grammar and punctuation errors in your essay. Be sure to do that AFTER you finish revising the content of your essay.
Finally, you don't really have an introduction yet. You just launch right into your tirade. You still need to tell us where you work and what your job is, so perhaps that info could go in your introduction.