“You’ve got a college degree? What are you doing here?” my coworker John says. I tell him, ” Yeah man I got my degree in Infectious disease and health. But finding jobs working with deadly diseases is hard especially when you don’t have any experience.”

“Yeah, I could see that. But bro if you don’t get out of here soon you’re gonna be stuck at Burger King for the rest of your life.”

This struck my mind and really sank in its claws. What was I doing working at Burger King? Every day I was stuck here was a day I had wasted. I was actively watching my life waste away.

Work finished a few hours later. In the parking lot I had my rusty 2004 corolla to greet me. It was like my life right now, past its prime. The drive home didn’t help my mental state. All I could think about was my life. I knew deep down I had to be better than this. But I also knew the truth. I had already been rejected from 23 jobs. Of those, only a few had even called back for an interview. I should have tried harder in school. I should have taken those internships. Regret filled my mind as I arrived at the 4 way stop. I had to put myself out there again even if the chances were slim no matter, SMASH! My mind was swirling and my mind felt numb. Finally when the shock wore off I realized what had happened. Someone rear ended me at the stop sign. They must have been on their phone. This definitely didn’t help my mood. But I tried to be optimistic. “I guess we can just swap insurance and figure this out.” When I pulled over they booked it. I heard the spinning of the wheels and they were off. I didn’t even get a picture. I called a tow truck and didn’t get back home until after 12. I was exhausted and at one of the lowest points in my life.

I just started filling with self pity. While my mind began to spin one thing broke me of my spell. My little golden retriever named Duke. He shined like the sun. While it may be silly that truly is what broke me out of my mental state. Duke sat there wagging his tail but to me it felt like the motivation I needed to make a change to my life. I whipped out my computer. I didn’t care if I had to work in 6 hours. I needed to make a change.

I scoured the internet looking for any labs that were hiring. I didn’t care where it was or what the job entailed. I would start as a janitor for all I cared. I just needed a chance, I needed to give myself a second chance. I sent out to Jackson labs, CLS labs, and Smith’s lab. I knew that CLS was a long shot but the other two seemed to be in my reach. And hey it can’t hurt to have some hope and go for a long shot every now and again.

A few days passed and I hadn’t heard anything. I was starting to lose hope. “Well maybe I’m bound to Burger King. Is this really the best I can do?” When I got home I checked the mail. I had three letters, three chances. I threw the CLS letter on the other side of the table. I didn’t need to see another rejection early on. So with a lot of hope and fear I opened up the other two. I couldn’t look when I peeked at Jackson I realized I was rejected. Same from Smith’s. My heart sank. I was done, my last chance at getting a job and improving my life was gone. I guess Burger King was truly my job. CLS wasn’t even worth checking but I decided to give it a rip. Yep just as I thought, wait did that say start in a week, 85,000 dollars a year? I couldn’t believe it. I was off the wall. I actually did it, At CLS? That was a globally ranked lab. They were giving me a chance. I took it and ran.

The next week I arrived, my palms moist with sweat and doubts filling my mind. But no I was done, No more doubts. Doubts almost cost me this job. I had to believe in myself. I pulled together myself, brushed off my coat and walked in. Ready for whatever this job threw at me.