Dispatches from the pink ghetto No. 1

I'm always the lowest paid, first hired and first fired, my talents and expertise ignored, and forever subject to pervasive, subtle sexism and classism from clients, vendors, coworkers, and nearly every single boss I've ever had.  

Administrative assistant positions have always been an indicator of economic recovery or downturn - the lowest common denominator in a system of sheer avarice. Myself and my sisters in the pink ghetto know we're expendable.  Yet, we excel at our jobs in the face of an economy that discounts our contributions, ignores our collective wisdom, and strips us of our power on a daily basis despite the fact that our pervasive presence forms the supportive foundation of all business practices.  

We are seen as inconsequential, yet the average CEO or partner wouldn't know how to trouble shoot a copier or printer problem, much less find their own office supplies, among a myriad list of menial tasks and responsibilities that make an office run, and without which everyone else would be left dick in hand.  

I never wanted this to be my career, but the pandemic really screwed over my meager efforts and income streams as a musician, so I'm capitalizing on my vast experience by getting a paralegal certificate. It kills me that I excel at a job that is so utterly worthless and devoid of meaning, but here I am and it's high time I make some decent scratch after years of being grossly underpaid and offered no opportunity beyond the front desk.  

In three weeks I will complete my coursework, and then I'll turn my energy toward prepping resumes and cover letters for a job search once the Winter starts to wind down.  I plan to relocate out of state in the Spring because of the crippling cost of living in this one.  But, that's another story...