Story Time: My First Work Experience

I had my first work experience week  when I was 15 and still in high school. I was actually really looking forward to it, especially after having not having the best time ever in the past school year.

My work experience week was at a charity organisation, which I will not be naming. For that week I was to work at the charity's shop. It got quite busy some days and I really liked having a bunch of things to do all the time. I ended up staying there for a few more months.

The first week was great, I got everything I needed done for my work experience file. However, I quickly started to find work very stressful. Everyone there was absolutely lovely apart from an older man who worked there. He was absolutely horrible to us when the manager wasn't there. As much respect as I have for others, I soon had enough of being treated like I was the lowest of the low and begun standing up for myself and sometimes for others who were on the shop floor with me but too scared of getting a bad report. He was always shouting at us in front of customers, nothing we did was ever right, he liked to act like he was the manager when the actual manager wasn't there. He was a volunteer like the rest of us and had no right to treat us like we were the lowest possible, and that's why I had enough.

After arguments and a bunch of stress, it was finally the end of the summer holidays and I was able to go back to school for my last year of high school. It was amazing to have some peace back, as much as I missed the work and actually dealing with customers, I did not miss how I was treated by that particular individual.

I wouldn't say I regret going there for my work experience week. I did learn a lot and the stress I was put under actually ended up helping me prepare for future situations at other work places.

The truth is that you're very lucky if you find yourself in a job where you can get along with everyone, are treated fairly and your work is actually appreciated. There are unpleasant people everywhere and sometimes you just can't avoid having to deal with them.