How I Decided To Become A Master Electrician Part 2

I spent multiple years working overnight. I was told by management that it wouldn't be a bad idea to try to be an assistant manager. They really liked that I was always on time, and did the job that I was supposed to do. I spent the next 6 years trying to get into their management program.

I applied multiple times at the different stores that I moved to. The interview to become a manager had 10 questions on it. If they felt like you lacked a skill in any 2 of the questions, you would not be recommended for the promotion. There would be interviews where I would be considered adequate on one question, but the next interview they would check it off that I wasn't. This became frustrating for me and others that seemed like they were ready to take the next step.

In 2012, I found out that one of my sisters had terminal cancer. This changed me and my family forever. With only a few months to live, I wanted to see my sister before she died. I didn't have a lot of money, but I was saving to buy a plane ticket and hotel. Whenever I go back home, I don't have a family home to stay in. I have to get a hotel room. I was slowly get things together to take my trip back home.

The grocery store has a annual donation drive for the United Way each summer. I decided that I did not want to donate this time. The store manager called me into the office to ask me why I didn't want to donate. It was none of his business, so I told him because I didn't want to. He yelled at me, telling me this is why I'll never move up. I'm selfish. I took offense to all of this. I'm doing my best each night coming into this store. I'm trying to do all the right things. This manager is mad at me because he wants to raise the most money to have a store party. I can't move up because of his personal opinion about me.

I left work immediately. I called my wife, who was still my girlfriend at the time. I told her what happened. I remember telling her that I don't know what I'm going to do in life. I know that whatever I do, I'm going to find a career where no one can tell me if I can move up in life. I didn't speak to that store manager for the remainder of my time with the company.