Six Months In: When Hard Work Feels Invisible

Ever spent half a year at a job and still felt like the new kid? That’s me, juggling admin work at a family-run dog daycare in Austin. I’m in my early 20s, taking a break from college because, well, tuition doesn’t pay itself. I negotiated my wage, only to find my first paycheck a dollar short. I work 3-4 days a week, go above and beyond, but somehow, every mistake—mine or not—lands on my plate. My manager sends me long texts after hours about things I didn’t even know I was responsible for. I’ve started putting my coworkers on Do Not Disturb just to keep my sanity. I want to believe this admin experience will help me down the road, but it’s hard not to wonder: why am I held to such high standards for barely more than minimum wage? Maybe you’ve felt the same way—caught between needing the job and wishing you were valued more. 🐾😅 #WorkplaceStruggles #CareerGrowth #YoungProfessionals #JobCareer