Many years ago, in my pre-recruiting life, I graduated from Indiana University's certificated dental assisting program. I was hired by a local general dentist even before I finished my last class. I was enthusiastic and loved this first "real" job. I admired my boss, who was eighteen years my senior, and soon became very proficient- for while school teaches you the basics, experience teaches you the rest.

 The dentist for whom I worked was also a pro bass fisherman. Whenever he wasn't with a patient, he was combing through bass catalogs or messing around with lures. I was often the brunt of many a practical joke including, but not limited to, leaving slimy lures all over the dark room, to be found by me as I stumbled around, feeling my way in the dark. My grossed-out squeal delighted my boss; it was great fun - once I got used to it. I thought I would stay in that job forever. My new working life was not only filled with some good-natured fun but also with many lessons.

Of course, I was very naive for over the course of my three years working for a really cool dentist, I came across a not-very-nice person. The dental hygienist that worked for him was an excellent practitioner and she was well-known for her work. Many a dentist tried to recruit her away. Unfortunately, this attention gave her somewhat of a swelled head and "puffed-up" nature. In other words, she thought she was hot stuff. She had a strong work ethic but horrible personal ethics. She was often rude and deceptive, lying to the dentist and sneaking around. One time, I caught her going through the boss's check book, looking at everyone's paystubs. She had an arrogant nature and felt entitled to her snooping.

She was just a few years older than I but treated me and others in the office like we were serfs in her kingdom. One afternoon, her rudeness and selfish behavior became more than I could bear and I requested some time with the doctor. Recognizing that I was a spinning cog, no longer connecting, I proceeded to give my two weeks' notice, citing her rudeness and my raw inability to cope. I knew he would not let her go over me for she had worked for him for seven years compared to my measly three and she was a well-sought after hygienist in our small Indiana town. He was sad and disappointed but understood my young, albeit, impetuous response to an uncomfortable situation. He concluded our heartbreaking conversation stating that he hoped his young daughter would grow up to be like me.

Less than a year later, her shenanigans got the better of her and he encouraged her to quit in order to avoid an awkward and uneasy situation that would result in her very demeaning and harsh firing. I had landed another job right away but my first thought was, if only I had stuck it out - I would still be at a job I loved the job, that I was never going to leave.  ;-)

Every job I have ever held was going to be my last, for I knew it was the job from which I would retire. I valued my work but I couldn't tolerate what was going on around me. I was young and really didn't see how it would benefit me to stay. It was one of my very first business lessons. "Scum that rises to the top is sometimes mistaken for cream. But it doesn't take long to figure out it's scum." He called me a couple years later to work a temporary gig while one of his employees was on maternity leave, which I gladly did. While I wished I hadn't been so hasty, I knew that I had grown with the move and that my work mattered. That's usually how it works out...

© by rayannethorn