Growing up was a challenge all round. I was shy, unconfident and, as a result, bullied at school. I knew the things that I liked doing and learning — reading, writing and history were my favourites — but I had no idea where that would lead to once I left formal education.
In the UK you can legally leave school aged 16, which, in the old days was the 5th year of senior school, or on completion of year 11. So that’s what I did, having no idea of what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
My parents were rather concerned as they didn’t know if I would be able to cope ‘out in the world’. They couldn’t see beyond all the problems I had had growing up and whether I could withstand working a part-time or full-time job. Not their fault. They were just looking out for me.
In the June of that year I got my first job working part-time as a cashier for a supermarket (anyone remember Safeway?). That was a real learning curve as I really had no idea about a working environment. But I learned and was there for five years. After several more dead-end jobs I began thinking that was all I was worth, even though I wanted something different, something more satisfying.
When I was at school, I had always thought that I might like to be a secretary, like my Mum had been, but I didn’t know how you went about that. Then in the fifth year (year 11) I met up with the careers officer to talk about what I wanted to do when I left school. I remember saying that I wanted a job where I could learn as well, and perhaps something with prospects. The careers officer was kind and said that was good, but those sort of opportunities were few and far between.
So, I had all this in my head until I saw a job opportunity in the local newspaper for an office assistant in my town. I didn’t apply. The idea of not being accepted, and not being good enough, loomed large in my head.
The following week the advert was there again. I read the details again. It was minimum wage and on-the-job learning. After giving it some thought, I decided that if the careers officer had been right, then I at least had to try or lose out for good. So I hastily typed up a CV (resumé) and cover letter, and posted it, feeling rather sick with anxiety.
A week later I had a phone call about my application. Could I come in for an interview? ‘Yes’, I said, feeling rather sick again. So that day arrived, and I dressed as smartly as I could, and didn’t eat a thing. The interview went well. I was pleased at how I handled it. I went home and ate like food never existed before.
After a week, I hadn’t heard from them. So I gave them a call and asked if they had made any decisions on the job. They said they would call back. About an hour later they did. My phone call had spurred them on, they said, and could I start tomorrow? ‘Yes’, I stuttered, wondering if it was a dream.
I had found myself working for an ICT company, where I would be for the next 15 years. There was a lot of learning to do, but I lapped it up. In the later years I was a PA to the company directors, and also a Project Manager.
It was the best decision I could have made for myself. I gained confidence in so many ways, as well as transferrable skills. Since then, I’ve learned to judge myself, not by my fears and worries, but by my capabilities. I can still get it wrong sometimes, but I’m more likely to get it right, now.
This article was originally posted on Medium.
Charlotte Clark 