'How can you know anything without experience?' The journey of job-hopping born from frustration

Currently, I'm working in the administrative department of a cosmetic medical clinic. It's only been a little over two weeks. Previously, I worked in the apparel industry. Mostly, I handle phone calls, and occasionally, I assist at the reception or create patient records to the extent possible.

Originally, my family ran a dental clinic, so I had no resistance towards the medical field. However, unlike my parents, I didn't initially pursue a medical path. Instead, I went into the arts and have been working in that field. But I also thought it might be good to follow in my parents' footsteps. When I considered medical fields related to appearance, cosmetic medicine seemed fitting, so I came here.

I think the experience I gained in the apparel industry is more useful than I expected. Whether it's handling phone calls or reception duties, the time I spend face-to-face with customers or on the phone is quite similar to my time in the apparel industry. So, in a way, I think I can manage.

It's been full of challenges. There are various terms like 'what are you saying' that I've never heard of in the apparel industry. Terms like 'our clinic', 'our company', 'your company' don't exist there. Since this is a hospital, we use 'clinic', but I wasn't used to it at first and would almost say 'our company'. That was the biggest challenge.

It's the interpersonal relationships. Both places are the same; it's a tough all-female environment. Everyone wants their days off, and whether it's in the apparel industry or cosmetic medicine, it's a shift-based job. So, when two people want the same day off, the tension is palpable. I'm at the bottom of the hierarchy and can't say anything, so I just comply. It's about navigating the mood of a senior who's in a bad mood and trying not to upset them.

Right now, it's mostly phone calls and reception duties since I spend a lot of time face-to-face with customers. I have to be extremely careful. We get a lot of calls. Many of our customers are elderly, so there are instances where they've applied online but aren't sure if it's gone through, or they've completed all inquiries and applications but call on the day of their appointment because they don't know how to open the map and ask for directions.

The skills I developed in the apparel industry are the most significant. When facing customers, I can quickly sense what they want to hear. Being able to articulate that instantly is my strength. As I get more accustomed to my job, I hope to apply this to my current customers.

It's during phone calls when customers ask, 'How much weight will I lose?' or 'What's the cost?'. If I don't provide the correct information or the answer they're seeking, it can easily lead to complaints in this industry. That's the most nerve-wracking. If they seek advice, I say, 'I'll provide you with the correct information, please hold on for a moment' and put them on hold.

It's not just surprising, but shocking. The quality of customers is different. When it comes to accessories, many people come in a joyful mood to shop. But in my current situation, many customers start from a negative point, feeling irritated or dissatisfied with their current state. Figuring out how to bring them to a neutral point is incredibly challenging. It's truly shocking, like 'What do I do with this customer?'

When I fell ill and my sleep schedule got reversed, my health deteriorated significantly. I learned that I must wake up in the morning and go to bed early at night. Since then, I've made it a rule to always wake up in the morning and ensure I get to bed early, no matter how late I return home. This is a commitment I made to myself after falling ill.

I never considered it a career advancement. Even though I've changed jobs quite a few times, I've done various jobs. When I reach my 40s, whether I have children or not, I want to return to an education-related job. However, when I first started teaching right after graduating from university, I lacked the trust of parents. But I understand their feelings. If someone who's never done another job says, 'What are you talking about?', I can understand that too. So, I'm living with the mindset of 'Let me show you when I'm older'. Now that I don't need to renew my teaching license, I'll return to education.

My high school art teacher inspired me. He was originally a designer working for a company but re-enrolled in an education university, obtained a teaching license, and became a teacher. He was my homeroom teacher, and I was amazed by him. Everything he said was well-reasoned, and I thought, 'He's right'. He'd say things like 'Make sure to schedule your appointments' and 'Carry a planner', which are obvious things to say, but high school students often don't do them. So, having those basics instilled in me at a young age has led to where I am now. I'm a believer in his methods.

For now, until I'm in my 30s, I plan to keep changing jobs, going with the flow. When I reach my 40s or 50s, I might return to teaching. However, I've had some health issues, and I think it might be difficult to have children and return to teaching. So, if I choose not to have children and return to teaching, the biggest challenge will be how to engage with parents. When I first taught, I was told, 'How can you understand without having children?' It really hurt. But upon reflection, if I have health issues and a partner, I need to consider if I can provide a stable environment for raising children. If not, I should clearly communicate that to parents and say, 'I believe there are other paths in life, and it's okay to show children that there are alternative life choices.' I want to be a healthy individual who can confidently say that.

I think it's because of the hurt I felt. In a world where having children is often seen as the correct path, especially among parents with children in school, I felt a bit resentful. Even if they don't think it's the right path, they might be influenced by the environment to think that way. I feel that it's a bit unfair for children to be put on that track. That's why I want to convey that there's no need for such thoughts. Even if you're sick, you won't die (though there's a chance you might), but you can recover. If you fail in a job or in university, you won't die either. You can always find another job, or if you want, you can retake exams, relying on your parents for financial support if needed. Things will work out, so there's no need to worry. That's the underlying motivation, and I've always felt confident about it.

I went through a long period without working, borrowing money from my mother for about two years, or returning home and having my parents take care of everything. I was in a state of depression, taking 30 minutes just to go to the bathroom, unable to get out of bed. I wondered, 'What's the point?' It's probably just my brain being tired, making me think that way. But I felt incredibly ashamed of not being able to live a normal human life and appearing indifferent to money.

If I were to try something new, given that my current job pays well, I'd work for 2 to 3 days. For the other days, I'd like to do something I enjoy, like sales. Also, something I've never done but find intriguing because it seems challenging is mobile phone contracts. I think it would be educational. I've never done sales-related work, so while I can handle customer service, sales is a different story. I'd like to learn more about that.

There will definitely be times when you feel lost. During such times, instead of consulting friends, I believe it's better to seek advice from platforms like ChatGPT. This is because you already have a clear idea of the answer you want. Consulting friends who might not give you that answer would be a waste of time. If you tell ChatGPT, 'I'm thinking this way, I'm struggling with this, but I want to be like this', you'll definitely get the answer you're looking for. With that, you can confidently move forward.