Expert: Torski Dobson-Arnold - 2/10/2010

Question
I finished my degree, a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English, last year. Since September I've been job hunting and having no luck. I'd always hoped that by the end of my degree I'd end up with a better sense of my career ambitions, but I havent. All my goals are things I can pursue in my spare time, and I've actually found that I enjoy my passions less when trying to pursue them professionally.
So I applied for admin, and got nothing.
I have good grades from a great uni, I have interesting extra-curricular hobbies, but only experience in cafe jobs.

Finally I got a job, and not just a job, a job as a TRAVEL WRITER. This sounded so cool. My dream job, though I never imagined it would be an actual advertised job. At the same time, I also got offered a job in a call centre. I accepted both, as the call centre job didnt start until 2 weeks after the other, so I am keeping it as insurance.

I started the travel writing job on Monday and I HATE it. If it wasn't for the absolutely awful boss who boasted how she once punched a visitor to the office, and only talked about herself in my interview, it's the fact that the office is run in total silence. The work is basically just data entry. The toilet stinks, the kitchen is filthy, no money seems to be put back into the business, and I find the people rude and awful. I haven't actually been introduced to anyone, and since I was told to sit down, basically figure out what I was doing and sit in silence, I haven't been able to introduce myself.

Only once I got the job was I told that it's on a rotating roster, including 7am starts, which means getting up at 5am. I will spend a big chunk of my salary on travel expenses.

I've been utterly bored, stressed and deeply unimpressed with the company all over.
So, you'd think, at least I have a back=up job, right?
Well, I'm 23 and I've never had a 'real job'. Though I'm not sure exactly what I want to do, I know I want to be successful and make money eventually, and I know that I need to start getting some real work experience on my cv so I dont look like an eternal student-bum.
I really really want to quit this job and go and work in the call centre. It's better shifts, better money and the people were so friendly and the office so amazing when I had my interview. plus there's tons of training. It's a big company that has a strong reputation for being fun and good to staff.

My travel writing contract is for 3 months initially, with a view to then go permanent. I know I definitely wont renew my contract, but should I stay for the three months? I arrived at 8am this morning and was almost crying at 8.15am because I was so tired and overwhelmed by the miserable and tense atmosphere, and at being ignored when I dont really understand all that much what the company even does, and nothing about the procedures!

But, working in this call centre, isn't that just going to be detrimental to my cv. I can't see how I'll stick out the three months, but it's such an impressive job title (regardless of whether I'm actually do that as a task) that I know it'll make my cv look good.

Do you have any advice for me? I'm tearing my hair out here. I'm so upset that this job is so painful and distressing. I dont want to quit it, because I'll feel like a failure. Yet, I believe that I shouldnt have to be miserable.

Anything you could suggest or knowledge you could impart would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Sophie,

I cannot imagine going into a job with the feelings that you have described about the travel writer job and staying there a second longer. It appears that even at 3 months, you may end up enduring mental stress and anguish from this role that will not be worth it in the long run.

If you have the call center job which appears to foster more camaraderie and leadership that you are seeking from a company, I would simply resign tactfully from the travel writer job and concentrate solely on the call center rep role. Yes, maybe the travel writer job may look better on your CV or resume, but if you don't have anything positive to say about it, then cut your losses early and get out.  

I wouldn't consider this a failed job attempt either.  For some, myself included, we can see a jbo from the outside at what appears to be our dream job and get in to realize that instead the position was a big mistake.  Take what you can from this learning experience and move on.  no job is worth that type of negativity in our lives.

I hope this helps!

Claiming nothing but success in all of your career endeavors,

Torski
-The Career Confidence Coach