Being a Drone for the Government (and other places)

I quit my job last week.

And no, I don't have a new one. I'm not even looking yet.

In this economy, you're probably thinking well, that was a nuts thing to do. Maybe. But, staying would be even nuttier. My sanity was sorely slipping. When I described to friends and family what this place was like, they'd say, OMG, why are you staying at all?

Money, I would tell them. I was getting top dollar for my customer service skills.

I've had 3 jobs since 2001, all of them drone-like and completely uncreative. Nothing fulfilling about any of them. The first was at a call center. If you like being a robot, this is the job for you. You get to say the exact same thing, over and over and over, for 700-900 calls per day. And, tsk tsk, no varying the script! They listen, they write you up, they fire people for daring to add a single word. Like "and."

The second was for the state government, namely the drivers' license office. When they interviewed me, they said, "We know we have an uncaring image. We want to change that -- so, we need people like you." There's no fool like an old fool. I believed them. What a fun career this turned out to be! Just look at the perks: Not only do you get paid less than the average office clerk, but you also get laughable benefits. Add in the thrill of paycheck-docking and recorded hearings for making a mistake, and the excitement of getting pulled into court and legally prosecuted 5 years down the road for any work you do today! But wait! There's more! If you're helpful, like me, and you say to some poor soul who's missing one simple thing, and has been waiting 3 long, boring hours, "How far do you live? Tell you what, just run home, get the document, come right back and see me." Yessiree Bob, I got talked to, my wrist slapped, and finally written up for doing such things. Nooo being helpful on the job.

(sigh)

The third and final job was at a call center answering phones for a federal government entity. Argh! Double trouble! WHAT was I thinking? (money, yes I know. [banging head against wall] repeat after me: not worth it, not worth it, not WORTH it!) Now, ladies and gents, I get to be a Telephone Drone working for Drone Central -- complete with outdated software, cheap equipment and screaming customers. GAH. Calgon, take me away!

I can't tell you what fed agency I answered calls for (sensitive security clearance and non-disclosure agreement and all that jazz), and that's a shame. I could really tell you some stories. Or wait ... maybe I will. In disguised form. My next blog is going to be about "being on the other end of customer service" anyway. You would not believe what it's like being on this end of the phone.

I used to write for a living, did I tell you? Yes, a published freelancer, that's me. And that's what I want to do again. Words are my passion. Writing is my life. I've been out of it for oh, 6 years. Thanks to those who read my current drivel, as sad as it may be at the moment. It'll get better. You're letting me practice scraping the rust off and I appreciate that.

So. Three cheers I say, to all the bloggers/writers out there! Three cheers to the undying, creative human spirit! Don't give up!