Free Range by Bill Whitehead for May 21, 2018

It does sort of work that way. When I first finished my undergraduate degree, then again when I first left grad school, I supported myself by temping. They first send you on something requiring nothing more than autonomic functions out of you, just to find out if you’ll show up and do whatever it is. Then as soon as they realize you’re reliable, they actually set about finding out what you’re good at or can quickly learn. It’s not a bad way to go if you don’t mind working in different locations at different jobs, for not a lot of money. I’m told now that some of the agencies even offer certain benefits like medical insurance, 401(k) plans, & dental insurance.

The bottom lie always makes you a commodity. In this case not even on the shelf, just more efficiently.

Is there one of these machines in the White House these days?

Being a temp is great for your ego; people are always glad to see you!

Receptionist are now called administrative assistants.

The boss gets the gold and the worker gets the shaft.

I hate it when they get stuck in the chute like that!

Use once and throw away.

I was a temp for several years while I was taking care of my mother before she died. I had to have something that I could call in at the last minute if she was having a day that I needed to be there for her. Being a temp is exactly like this, even when you are a Paralegal/Legal Assistant. During that time, I was certainly not too proud to take a temp receptionist job. I did what I had to do.

I used to love temping. That glorious feeling of “I get to leave and you are all stuck here with each other and a ratfink boss!”