Unofficial Challenge: The Worst Job Ever

After six and a half months of doing the work of two people, a months-long twitch impacting my right eye, consistent migraines, and restarting antidepressants as an attempt to cope, I am officially done with a job that has basically been killing me.

Don't get me wrong. I love the kind of work I do. I picked a career field I can really geek out about. I even loved the people in my office and most of the people across the institution. I just can't commit to 10 to 12-hour workdays on a regular basis for an entire academic year or longer, and that was the path I was on.

As I have been packing my apartment, applying for new jobs, and planning for potential long-term unemployment, it has been a time of reflection. Is this the worst job I have ever had? Maybe. That title is fairly competitive for my work history. I once ghosted a Red Robin before I made it through training. For eight months in grad school, I worked 60-hour weeks for a measly $10,000 stipend, an apartment, and a meal plan. That job included facilitating COVID-19 testing and quarantine housing. I got sick three different times.

This reflection leads me to wonder: What's the worst job you ever had?

The Challenge Details

Let's commiserate together. Answer the question above, and tell me about the worst job you ever had.

Please keep entries to a 2,000-word maximum. There is no word minimum (aside from Vocal's minimum), but the story must be written by you. AI-generated content, including the use of AI-generated photos, will not be considered. (I do take the AI restriction seriously. Two entries in the last unofficial challenge I hosted were disqualified for using AI photos, one disclosed and one not disclosed. If your cover photo is clearly AI-generated, I may not even read your entry.)

No gatekeeping allowed. Your story should include a link to this challenge announcement so others can find it easily in case they want to participate.

Post your story in the Journal community and come back here to comment with the link once it is published.

I will give up to three prizes, depending on participation. There will be one $2 winner and one or two $1 runner-ups. Winners must have their Vocal account set up to receive tips. If there are not enough eligible entries for at least two winners, I will extend the deadline and repost.

In my last challenge, I boxed myself in a bit more than I liked when it came to choosing winners. Several people had submissions that hit more than one of the prize categories I set, and it was difficult to choose who should win for which reason.

This time, I am taking a step back and letting the submissions guide my selection of the winners. I will be transparent about why each story was picked when I post the winners at the end of the challenge, though. I love it when I get to say why I loved someone else's writing. I may even share some honorable mentions if more than three stories really stand out.

The deadline to submit is Friday, April 24. Winners will be selected, posted, and tipped by May 3 at the latest.

As I do a first read of each entry, I will leave a comment on the story, so you'll know I have read it.

If you have questions, feel free to add them to the comments below.

I hope you will join me in this commiserating-themed unofficial challenge because you know what they say about misery (it loves company). Happy writing!