Shadow Duties

For Every Job There's an Unwritten Description

I was watching my bus driver today as they were dealing with a rider who was not observing the mask mandate. Thought I: “What a shame that they should have to perform this additional role.” Considering this, it occurred to me that I might have the skills to drive a bus, but I am not of a sound constitution to deal with “the Public” in the enforcement of rules. (And even in non-pandemic times, I've watched bus drivers unfortunately need to enforce all sorts of rules.)

This led me to think of the many times in which a job has required me to perform all sorts of tasks for which I was not particularly well-equipped. This led me to realize that, perhaps, all jobs are of this nature. As I am currently engaged in a Job Search, it occurs to me that each time I consider a job I might consider also the “Shadow Job” — the job one “actually” does “on the frontlines.” Norm Macdonald once recounted being a trash collector: “You think that'd be so cool — riding on the side of a truck like that. But then you get to a house and somebody's throwing out a couch.”

Too easy it might be to downplay such things as one thirsts for income. And yet too much do these realities cause substantive effects on the natures of our lives. Is there Jungian work to be done?

As I sort through the shadow tasks of my current position, it's also important to recognize that any forthcoming opportunity will hold the same hazard. Therefore, it's imperative that, before I even consider applying to a new position, I come to terms with those frustrations in my current state. It makes no sense to rebound from one relationship in order to enter another codependent one. And as we all know, it isn't their fault alone. As much of this is on me as it is on they.

So onwards, but patiently, and with an ear to the ground.