You Were Made for More Than a 9-to-5 You Dread (LinkedIn Backlog | March 2025)

"If you’re so unhappy, why don’t you just leave? Obviously, this isn’t the job for you." 

That’s what the VP of Sales said to me with all the vitriol in the world during a meeting where I thought we’d be discussing a raise. Instead, I was handed nine (very goofy and confusing) write-ups. If you know me, that probably sounds absurd. So, let’s zoom out. 

It’s August 2019, and like many recent grads, I took a job outside my field—personal banking at a credit union. It wasn’t my dream, but I worked hard and was a top performer. 

Then… COVID. Suddenly, I was balancing two full-time roles: my branch duties and a call center workload while working from home with little support. When we returned to the office, expectations didn’t ease. I was helping in-person members while still being monitored like a call center employee. One micromanager is tough. I had two. 

I started job hunting, but hiring was slow. I also asked for a raise—something I had more than earned. Plus, a brand-new hire with no experience was making nearly $3 more per hour than the rest of us. My manager said she’d discuss it with her supervisor. 

After that? The culture became even worse. My manager would call while working remotely to ask why lights were left on or why we weren’t cold calling—just a little reminder that she was watching the cameras. 

Then, one day, my mom texted me. My manager, having seen my phone on the cameras, sent a branch-wide Teams message reminding us that cell phones were not allowed in offices and should be left in our cars. (Not a CU rule, btw.) I slipped my phone into my pocket and stepped into the bathroom to reply to my mom. When I returned, a coworker wanted to chat. As we stood there, my phone started ringing in my pocket. I must've bumped the ringer. I silenced it and immediately started panicking. 

The next day, I got my nine write-ups. The third on the list? Not leaving my phone in my car. 

I was doing everything right, working hard and trying to grow, but nothing would change. So, I quit. I went to grad school. 

I was tired of walking on eggshells for a company that didn’t value me. So, this isn’t me saying you should quit and go to grad school (unless you want to🤷🏻‍♀️). This is me saying: you don’t have to settle! 

If you’re feeling stuck, find ways to expand your role so you don’t feel stagnant. Keep your resume updated so when an opportunity pops up, you’re ready. Advocate for yourself—ask for raises, push for better opportunities, and look into professional development. Some employers will even pay for it! 

If your first (or second, or third) job isn’t your dream, that doesn’t mean it’s out of reach. You’re just still figuring things out and that’s okay! 

Let’s yap in the comments!

Ever had to leave a toxic workplace? What was your final straw? 

Or, for fun—can you guess what my seven other goofy write-ups were for? (Spoiler: one was for failing to greet a member in the branch while I was on the phone with a call center member!)