My First Full-time Job Started in the Fourth Grade

My First Full-time Job Started in the Fourth Grade | Julia Flaherty | Chronically Climbing

When I was 10 years old, I got my first full-time job. The onboarding period was short and brutal despite me being a fourth-grader. I resented this role initially but later learned to lean in to make it more manageable. I was promised a retirement plan reasonably soon, within five years, but that promise kept getting pushed by the decade. Though I remain hopeful this will change, I’m not holding my breath. Here I am, almost 21 years later, still working this job and not finding much relief from it.

My job requires me to be on call 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The schedule constantly changes with little warning and has irregular hours. I wish this were an exaggeration, but annoyingly, it’s a reality. There are no breaks and few benefits except the millions working alongside me at different levels in similar functions across the globe. And we work hard. We manage to find connections and understanding in hardship. These people are the primary reason I press on. On average, I’ve heard we have to make an extra 180 decisions per day compared to our counterparts operating in other functions.

Sometimes, I attempt to sneak in a break or getaway but often end up having to address alarms and logbooks anyway. What’s even more sick and twisted is that I am not compensated for this job. Yep, you read that right. I actually have to pay to work in this capacity, and payments are frequent and steep, especially at the beginning of the fiscal year. Fortunately, advocates in my field have helped yield change in this area over time. Yet, some have even worse working conditions than I do, which makes my stomach churn.

This job offers no health insurance, so I have had to take on another full-time job, which I actually really enjoy, to sustain it. I don’t consider myself much of a complainer, but at times, the stress of my longtime role has led to burnout, dissociation from other aspects of my life, and fatigue…lots and lots of fatigue. I now find myself working several full-time jobs on top of this one, including my 9-to-5, being a partner, and being a pet mom.

I routinely seek medical support to improve my quality of life in this function. While I am a well-versed self-manager, my job requires me to seek outside support to maintain the resources and tools I need to perform well. Trying to fit all these tasks in is a chore, but I must check them off daily, including on nights and weekends, or face the consequences.

Still, I find time for fun even while being on call. I walk my dog, cuddle my cat (to her disdain), spend time with my partner, family, and friends, pursue hobbyist art projects, learn new skills, upkeep my home, expand my education, and more. So, while there are many reasons to grunt, I find many more reasons to be grateful. There are genuinely so many…

Working at this job for over two decades has taught me to be more resilient, compassionate, understanding, patient, and caring. Oddly enough, I don’t know who I’d be without it, and that thought kind of scares me. This job has taught me that I can thrive, not just survive. It has taught me that I can persevere and am resilient in mind, spirit, and physical form. Though I admit I still can’t run, that’s not my job’s fault.

Over the past two decades, I have learned to leverage my job to my advantage, turning challenges into opportunities to further my network, expand my impact, share important stories, and broaden my understanding of the human experience. This job fostered in me a perspective from childhood to adulthood that you can turn any challenge into an opportunity. I am a product of the culmination of experiences my job has lent me over this period.

I am a person with type 1 diabetes. I have been operating as a full-time organ since January 2004; therefore, my first and longest job is “pancreas.”

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, a time to celebrate and recognize those impacted by diabetes. Throughout this month, you will likely encounter various stories that showcase diverse community members’ experiences, passions, challenges, and aspirations. Each person views diabetes in their own way, and there are many avenues for reflecting on and sharing these perspectives, whether directly or through artistic expression. It’s also important to note that our perceptions can change over time — I know this from personal experience!

There are different types of diabetes, but we all share commonalities that connect us beyond the challenges of chronic illness. People with diabetes need allies — those not directly affected — to listen and support the changes they wish to see in their care and lives. People with diabetes want those not immediately impacted to participate in the conversation. We need you to.

This month, I encourage you to actively listen to and attempt to fully understand what you read or watch. In today’s era of constant scrolling, it’s essential to take a moment to pause, reflect, and genuinely connect with others. The essence of being human is our desire to seek connection and support, whether in moments of joy or challenging times — especially in those difficult moments.

Living with a chronic illness like type 1 diabetes can be pretty challenging. It often feels like a full-time job that I can’t quit, and I wouldn’t want to at this phase of my life because there is currently no cure. Neglecting my management of the disease today could lead to severe consequences, and I am determined not to let my condition take control of my life.

I experience a range of emotions — frustration, humility, challenges, and inspiration — through my journey with type 1 diabetes and from the many incredible people I’ve met throughout my decades-long “career” who are living with type 1, type 2, and prediabetes as well.

To all of you who give me a reason to “show up at work” in the morning, afternoon, evening, and midnight, thank you…you know who you are. And to all of you who haven’t seen our “workplace” before, welcome. Let us show you around this November. We’re glad you’re here and appreciate you showing up for this shift.