Why I Left My Old Job (The beginning)

A Dysfunctional Company

The beginning…

Maybe I need to put a chart here, and perhaps I will at the bottom of this page, but let me start with a written description of A1 Research (company name has been changed to protect the innocent… not that there are many there, but there are some ;))

I walked in the door of this wacky data collection center in February of 1979. I could barely get through the door because of the big blizzard that year, but I pushed and persevered and I got myself hired while they were just laying down the carpet at this beautiful new office.

A1 was an up and coming research company that had spawned a small data collection center in the suburbs. I had just moved here and had no special talents, just a couple of kids and an impending divorce which made me anxious and ready to find a job of any kind. I walked into the fun and exciting position of Telephone Interviewer!!

Actually, I was so naive at the time, I thought it was a great job. I couldn’t imagine anybody not wanting to answer my questions… it was an honor to be selected to give your opinions, wasn’t it??? Apparently, not everybody we called felt that way. I was dumbstruck when people refused, and in my stupidity, I just figured there was something wrong with them, not me, and I kept on dialing.

This was an attitude they loved! I got promoted pretty quickly… first to a position monitoring the other interviewers and checking their completed questionnaires, then to a job in the personnel department scheduling them. Before my first anniversary I made it to the position of “Assistant Project Director.” Wow! Was I thrilled. This was the first job I ever had that gave me sick pay, paid vacation time, treated me with regard! This was a real turning point in my life.

Previous to this I had worked in delicatessens and nursing homes, etc. I married at age 18 and became a mother/housewife. Unfortunately my self-esteem was not what it could have been. My experience at A1 Research filled me with new confidence and self-respect as well as taught me an immense amount of practical business and market research skills. The company offered my incredible fringe benefits. They were wonderful when I had to take off to stay home with a sick child. They allowed me to bring the kids to work if I had an urgent task on an off day. They listened to my opinions and, lo and behold, even took some! After a time I was promoted to Project Director and worked in that position for the second half of my first decade there.

The first decade was a huge success. I loved the company (at least my little section of it), and they seemed to love me! I was nominated for and won the company award of excellence (and accompanying financial gift). I couldn’t see myself ever leaving. I was promoted to the position of Personnel Manager, I had a great new boss, and I felt successful if somewhat depressed about turning 34. (Boy, was I stupid… 34 is nothing, isn’t it??)

<br