Welcome to Sincerely, Melissa Podcast where I talk about advice. FYI, my dog Jasper is present with me, you may hear him on the audio.

The topic of this episode is about what red flags and green flags to look for when you start at a new job. I will be discussing my real-life work experiences to show you what signs to look at, so you can identify if you will be able to do well in this new job of yours. I will be avoiding the names of companies for legal reasons. 

After college, I started working for a zoo in a seasonal part-time security position. I loved working there. I formed amazing relationships with my coworkers in the security department. Let me tell you, they truly know what they are doing while being very friendly. People don't have to like you, and you don't have to get along with your coworkers, but you must be able to work with each other to ensure tasks are getting done correctly on time the first time around. If you can't do that with any coworker, then take it as a red flag, and consider if the position or even the company is a healthy happy work environment for you. The last thing you want is to work in a place that pulls you down mood wise or else you will end up severely burned out emotionally and physically. I know because I spent a year in a Pharmacy that made medicine for pets. I ended up severely burned out, with a mental health crisis causing me to quit on the spot because I couldn't take another second. I know what you are thinking, why didn't I just get into a doctor or take time off? I couldn't get into a doctor for several months because of their waitlist and my PTO was used up from another medical emergency just a couple of months before that. 

Make sure the environment is a positive one. Working at the zoo during the holidays was a huge mood booster, so considering what was around me could help my mood. Make sure there are no negative aspects or situations occurring constantly in the workplace and consider does this place have a high turnover. If it does, then it is for a reason. I should have realized that sooner before I took a year in a pharmacy support position with no advancement or alternative positions in the company available to me just because I didn't have a pharmacy technician license. It was my first full-time job, so I was eager to work, plus the friendships I formed with coworkers kept me going. But, as people leave, you start to feel worse and question everything.

Make sure that you are not ending up at a dead end either because you don't want to be stuck in the same position without opportunities to grow in the company. Make sure you act professionally even if no one else is, it can lead you to trouble, especially legal trouble. In the pharmacy I worked in, everyone gossiped or cussed constantly. Conversations are fine, as long as you keep it professional and get your work done. Make sure the environment is safe for you. I once worked in a warehouse for 24 hours, I did the job well, but I couldn't safely work there because they had no air conditioning in a warehouse that got to 111 degrees F at night. You don't want to work in an environment that doesn't care about your safety, however, if you are in a bind and need money quickly they are a good option. They do have amazing benefits and you can be hired quickly, but just remember they hire new people constantly you can be replaced in the position with a snap of a wrist, so take your health and safety first. 

Now there can be some pretty interesting places to work, like the zoo I worked at. Those unique places can form memories for you that you will never forget. Like, I remember watching the elephants be fed carrots while I was stationed near their exhibit one time. Those are some pretty amazing memories. You may want to consider working at a place like that, as there are many rewarding experiences and knowledge to be had. However, do remember

Sincerely,
Melissa

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Welcome to Sincerely, Melissa Podcast where I talk about advice. FYI, my dog Jasper is present with me, you may hear him on the audio. Today, I am recording outside near a water fountain. 

What I wish I knew before I got my previous dog. I am not here to judge you, whether you adopt from a rescue, obtain one online, or get a pedigree dog. What I am here to do, is stop you from yourself. You know what I am talking about. I mean the, "I am a couch potato, but if I get a high-energy dog I will become more active" comment or "I will train it to be a service dog, so I need a high-energy dog". No ... no you don't. You don't need a high-energy dog to be a service dog. What you need is a dog that matches your personality, habits, and living situation. Any dog can be a service dog as long as it is trained to do a task for your disability, and you follow government rules regarding service dogs.

I know you are thinking this because I had been there myself. I ignored the warnings from the breeder and the information provided to me about a high-energy breed and still ended up with one even though I had never met one in-person. I know what you are thinking, what kind of person gets a dog without meeting them in person until they brought the pup home. I was that kind of person. I was excited, naive, and not willing to listen to friends, family, coworkers, even the breeder. I lucked out, I wouldn't change my past decisions because I had wonderful experiences with him.

 I learned a lot. I took him to places like training classes, dog parks, on walks and even to my family's backyard. I lived in a small place that required him to be on leash at all times. I even researched his breed, researched how to tire him out and bought dog puzzles, toys, you name it. He was a really sweet intelligent dog, but I could just not meet his needs because of his high-energy and mental stimulation he craved. Believe me when I say this, meet the dog in person before getting one, even if you have prior experience with dogs or even the breed. Then, you will know if you can meet that specific dog's requirements. That is what I should have done, even though I had years of experience with dogs and other animals. He is now living his best life with his new family who has more than 20 years of experience with the breed. What I should have done, is listened and researched a different energy level dog breed or even gone with a dog breed I have experience with. It is okay to make these mistakes, we are only human after all, but if you find yourself in a similar situation to what I went through, it is okay to give up and find the pup a better-fit home. I know how hard it can be, I literally cried in a petstore as I was buying him his goodbye present. It is okay to feel how you are feeling. It will get better over time, your pup will be happier, you won't be so stressed and if you're lucky the new owners will give you updates on them or even let you visit them occasionally. I write this on my one year anniversary of when I rehomed him and I now have a wonderful dog that is a much better match for my energy level and goes almost everywhere with me. He will become a service dog if he is willing to learn. Just know that just because a specific dog is a better match, doesn't mean they are perfect, there are bound to be problems or mistakes, but maybe now you can manage the situation better and not get overwhelmed. 

Sincerely,
Melissa

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Episode 1: 

Welcome to Sincerely, Melissa Podcast where I talk about advice. FYI, my dog Jasper is present with me, you may hear him on the audio.

If I could go back in time and tell my younger self:
I know what you are thinking ... how many times have we heard this phrase or wished we only knew this or that. Well, here I am looking back at what 6 or 7 years and thinking if only I knew. If only I knew I would have trouble finding a job where my degree would be useful. If only I had chosen a different degree, would I have been more successful or would I be in the same place I am now ... jobless with disabilities trying to sort out  SSI or other sources of income? If I only knew that I needed to study more especially in Organic Chemistry, would I have passed Organic Chemistry 2 and ended up with a BS degree instead of BA. Well here I am now, I followed a degree in science because I loved science, I was not thinking about what types of jobs I could get with this degree or would this degree suit me based on my abilities or even disabilities. Maybe I should have considered other degree options, different career opportunities maybe one would have been a better fit for me. I want you to think about your current plans, do they suit you? Would they help you find a job? Would it benefit you to look at other options? If so, then talk a counselor, a friend, a family member, anyone who would listen, then make a decision that benefits you the best.

Sincerely,
Melissa

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