Where to Begin?
I grew up watching my dad go off to work every day. He worked at International Business Machines (IBM). In those days, IBM had a very strict dress code regardless of your job title. My dad started off as a computer repairman. Every day, he’d leave the house in his white shirt, blue tie, and blue suit. He’d walk around the corner and jump on the Long Island Railroad and take the train into Manhattan, making sure he was on time not to miss the train . Every day, he’d come back home in his white shirt, blue tie, and blue suit, but this time his fingers and fingernails were covered in grease, his shirt not as crisp, and his tie disheveled.
I don’t think I ever asked him if he was happy.
Fast forward more than 40 years. I get up every day, put on a pair of casual pants, a polo shirt (usually emblazoned with the logo of one of the many universities I cheer for), a pair of goofy socks, casual shoes, and head into work. I see my patients, visit with my co workers, take care of my paperwork, and head home.
No one has asked me if I’m happy. I am!
Fortunately, I am one of the lucky ones. I look forward to getting up each day and heading to work. I wear what I want, have my own transportation , so I am free to leave when I wish. I get along with and genuinely like my co workers. The workload is varied and manageable. My supervisors are supportive and accessible. My compensation is fair, and I am eligible for annual increases.
Not everyone is so fortunate. I can see frustration on colleagues’ faces, I can hear disappointment in their voices, and I can read about their struggles on social media.
I hope that Audiology Mentors might be able to become a resource for those audiologists who are struggling, a place where a friendly face or a reassuring voice might be able to help remind them of why they chose audiology in the first place and help them to become the best audiologist they can.
If you are a struggling audiologist or know of a struggling audiologist, please feel free to see what we have to offer, and if you feel like Audiology Mentors might be of assistance, please contact us.
