After 10 years of only working in food service, I decided that I desperately needed a change of pace.
I was sick of the stressful work environments, the deathly hot kitchens, and the angry members of the public.
After I got to $15 an hour, I stopped receiving raises altogether. When our staff was cut back by 30% and we were forced to work longer hours without overtime pay, I decided to leave. I didn’t feel appreciated or valued by this organization after this kind of treatment. But with limited experience in other job industries, I wasn’t sure what I would do to pay my bills every month. My parents suggested I take a look at vocational programs that are offered at a reduced rate through the community center. It’s kind of a job fair mixed with a one-week internship program. You get to look at the different vocations by visiting their booths, then you sign up for your program of choice before leaving. The next week is spent doing an on-the-job training seminar. I wanted to learn to be an exterminator. I had heard good things about the pay for extermination work, so I figured it would be a good fit. I don’t have any issues with wasps or yellow jackets like my brother does, so I figured there wouldn’t be any medical obstacles between me and this career. Unfortunately, I was mistaken about that. I started developing respiratory allergies almost immediately after starting the real job. We finished the training program and it was my first week of being an exterminator. Unfortunately, the chemicals we were using were making my lungs seize up, as well as all of the dust and fungal spores we have to crawl through in basements and attics. I guess being an exterminator is not my fate after all.