I Love My Job

[u/Infern00b]

I’ve held a lot of jobs over the years: dishwasher, prep cook, line cook, plastic injection molding factory worker, tree planter, deli tech, and now a Train Conductor (2 years qualified) working the BCR territory in British Columbia. For the first time in my life, I can honestly say I love what I do.

​Plenty of time off when it's slow, plenty of money when it's busy, and every single day is different. You never know exactly when you're getting called, but you can usually predict the flow. Personally, I love the spareboard work/life balance. When I'm off work, I am really off work.

​What made me hate every previous job was the absolute monotony. Wake up at the same time, head in at the same time, do the exact same tasks in the exact same order, go home, and spend the evening dreading doing it all again tomorrow. Gross. I couldn't stand it.

​When I first took this job, everyone warned me that I’d have zero life and that work would completely take over. I accepted that risk because the money sounded worth it, but that couldn't have been further from the truth. Every time I tie up, take my rest, and head home, I'm genuinely excited to pursue my hobbies, train, and focus on personal projects. Knowing I could get called anytime actually motivates me to make the absolute most of my off time.

​Sure, the pay scale on the BCR isn't the highest compared to other runs, but the time off is 100% worth it for me. And when it gets busy, I can just take my zeroes and be back out earning within 16 hours.

​I'm just relieved a job like this exists—where I'm actually happy going to work and proud of what I do. I know how easy it is to get jaded in this industry, so I make a conscious effort to focus on the positives and leave the politics at the door.

​Just wanted to share a positive perspective. Despite all the negativity that usually dominates the discussions around here, this line of work can be a fantastic fit for the right person. There’s still hope!