Got trapped in an elevator with a guy who hated my new career path

So I'm at a job fair in Denver, right? Sounded boring but I needed leads. I squeeze into an elevator to get to the second floor. It jolts and stops. Stuck for 25 minutes. The other guy? Turns out he used to be a firefighter. He hears I switched from construction to firefighting and he just launches into why I made a mistake. Said I'd burn out in 2 years. Told me I was too soft for the physical part. The whole time I'm just standing there, lights dim, no AC. Finally the doors open and he walks off without a goodbye. Has anyone else met someone who just tore into their career change for no reason?

2 comments

2 Comments

sethb459d ago

The elevator trapped you with a guy who gave you a free preview of every grumpy retired firefighter you'll ever meet. That's like being locked in a room with your own personal motivational speaker from hell. Twenty five minutes of unsolicited career advice from someone who probably still calls new firefighters "probie" like it's 1985. I bet he walked off thinking he did you a favor too. For what it's worth, the ones who yell the loudest about burnout are usually the ones who miss the job the most.

ross.sean9d ago

Feel for you, man. Having to stand there in a hot, dark elevator while some guy unloads on your life choices sounds brutal. The guy probably just wanted someone to listen to him complain, even if it meant trashing your new gig.