My name is Carter. I'm 22 years old, 5'9", have wavy blonde hair, blue eyes, and I've always kept a lean/athletic build. Six months ago, I graduated from college where I studied software engineering. Soon after graduation, I started my first full-time job at a tech company. It's just an entry level software engineer position. The job market was a bit over saturated when I graduated. The pay isn't incredible, but I've been able to make ends meet and still have enough to put a little into savings with each pay check.
At least that was the case until the deferment period on my student loans ended. Unfortunately, I didn't come from a family that could pay my way through college. In fact, I don't have much family at all. I did what I could to earn my own money and pay out of pocket, but the cost of higher education just keeps rising. I had no choice but to take out student loans. I knew it would be hard to pay them off starting out, but I had no idea just how impossible it would be.
Now I find myself having to pull money from what little I had saved just to pay the rent. Every dollar I take from my savings account puts me that much closer to homelessness. I have tried to find a higher paying job in my field, but there just isn't anything out there that a new college graduate could qualify for at the moment. I have even inquired about a time table for potential pay raises or promotions with the management at my current job.
To my disappointment, there doesn't seem to be anything coming my way nearly soon enough before my funds hit a negative balance. I feel sick every time I think about it. I'm beginning to get truly desperate for anything that could pull me out of this hole, but I'm not sure if I yet realize just how desperate I really am.
Despite my financial troubles, I do feel very fortunate to be able to work with such a great group of people. One coworker, in particular, that I really enjoy working with is this is guy named Jake. He is also 22 years old, 5'10" has straight brunette hair, brown eyes, and has a very athletic build as well. Like me, he too just graduated from college. Over the past 6 months, we have become pretty good buddies. Ever since my finances became a concern, I have even been known to confide in him from time to time for moral support.
This was one of those days. Me and Jake were in the break room having our lunch. I had been up late the night before obsessing over my personal budget. I spent hours trying to cut whatever I could just to get close to breaking even so that I would not be facing homelessness. As usual, I would spend a few minutes venting my frustrations regarding my current circumstances. Then, I would transition the conversation into asking Jake what he thought I should do. Jake has been a good friend. He always tries to give me as much support as he can, but he comes from different circumstances than me. He comes from a family of greater means that was able to fully fund his higher education.
As a result, he has zero debt to speak of. His parents also gave him some money to get his post-college life started, so he shares none of my current financial struggles. He does, however, have two older brothers who also work in our field. Although, they work at a higher level and at different companies. I have always figured this makes Jake a good person to talk to about new job opportunities since he is so well connected in the industry. He does try to make inquiries with his brothers about opportunities that I could be a good fit for, but he usually turns up empty handed. Despite his connections, the job market for this industry just isn't great for entry level professionals right now.
Just as I was asking Jake if he's heard of any new job opportunities yet again, the owner of the company walked into the break room to get himself some coffee. The company's owner was a man named Wyatt Stokes. He was somewhere in his mid forties, 6'2", had a full head of brunette hair with grey streaks, brown eyes, and a muscular physique. Although his office is several floors above ours, he has been known to be one of those "hands-on" executives that likes to go around to all departments within his company to stay connected with all of his employees keep his finger on the pulse of the industry so to speak.
When he entered the room, I immediately silenced myself with embarrassment. I wasn't sure if he heard me talking about looking for a new job, but I am sure that is likely something you wouldn't want your boss knowing until you have found something. I suppose he registered the awkward silence that began just as he entered the room. As he was pouring his coffee, he subtly glanced in me and Jake's direction and asked how we were liking everything at our jobs. I couldn't help but feel like he did hear me before and was just taking the opportunity to make me nervous. Well, if that was the case, I can safely say he accomplished his mission. I was unsure of what to say. Just as I was about to stammer out something I'm sure would have have been every bit as awkward as the previous silence, Jake spoke up.
Jake: "It's been great working here. I have enjoyed the team of people I get to work with everyday and appreciate the opportunity to gain so much experience."
Jake's response to our boss was, of course, insincere bullshit, but it seemed to satisfy the boss.
Me: "I feel the same." I said, sounding somewhat under duress.
Wyatt, gave us an approving look and told us he was glad to hear it and to let him know if we ever needed anything. I imagine he tells all of his employees that, but who knows how sincere he is being. He then exited the room with his coffee in hand as he went about the remainder of his day. After we were sure he was out of ear shot, we continued our previous conversation where we left of. Once again, Jake had the displeasure of having to tell me that there still were not any opportunities he had heard of that could help me out of my current situation. He could see the disappointment wash across my face. Like the good friend that he is, he thought of something to say that might give me some encouragement.
Jake: "Hey! I just remembered that our mid-year performance reviews are coming up next week. This could be a real opportunity for you to make a case for a raise. You've been killing it at your job! I'm not the only one on the team who has said so."
I considered what he said for a moment, and it did end up making me feel a bit better. I had been working myself to the bone at this job, and I had received some recognition from other team members at one point or another. Maybe Jake was onto something.
Me: "I forgot all about the performance reviews. I guess a could try to highlight my work performance during my one-on-one review meeting with Andrew. Maybe he will come through and give me just enough of a raise that I can make ends meet."
Andrew is our immediate supervisor and the person tasked with meeting with us about our performance reviews. I was beginning to become even more optimistic. Not only did I know that I had been doing very well at work, but I also happened to hear from some more senior employees that Andrew is very good about rewarding high performing employees. Upon considering this, I was now finally starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. However, my optimism may have been premature.
The day before I was to sit down with Andrew to discuss my performance review, I received an email notifying me that the plans had changed and that I would be meeting with Wyatt to discuss my performance. I could instantly feel a pit in my stomach. Why would the owner of the entire company want to discuss this with me? I'm just a low level employee. It's way below his pay grade to talk to me about something like this. I couldn't help but wonder if I had done something wrong. Naturally, I went to Jake about this as soon as I had the opportunity. He confirmed my worst suspicions. Neither he nor any other coworker that he had heard of received such an email. It looked like it was just me who Wyatt wanted to speak to. This just made me even more unsettled. Like always, Jake instantly recognized how stressed I was and knew just what to say.
Jake: "Carter, just take a breath for a second." There's no way this can be a bad thing. Like I told you, everyone around here agrees you have been doing great. Think about it. If Wyatt wanted you fired, he'd just have that task delegated to a middle manager like Andrew. He wouldn't waste his time with something like that when he has a whole company to run. He must want to handle your performance review because he's really impressed with you. That's the only thing that makes sense."
Me: "Yeah, I guess so."
Jake: "Seriously man, I think this could actually work out better in your favor. Now that you're going to be meeting with the owner of the company, you can make a really good case for yourself and maybe get an even better raise than what you originally hoped for. Who knows? Maybe he even wants to discuss a promotion. Just try to see this as the opportunity that it could be, and do your best tomorrow."
Me: "You're right. I shouldn't be so worried. I'm sure it's nothing bad. I'll take some time tonight to try and plan out what I'm going to say to him during the review tomorrow."
Later that night, I did exactly that. I spent a couple of hours trying to think of the best way to outline my accomplishments in the workplace and to anticipate any questions Wyatt might have for me. After a little while longer, I finally decided that I had done what I could to be prepared for tomorrow's meeting and went to sleep.
Bright and early the next morning, I found myself sitting in the waiting area just outside Wyatt's office, waiting to be ushered in by his secretary. After 15 minutes or so, one of the large, double doors to his office was swung open from the inside. A man that I had never seen around the building walked out of Wyatt's office. He appeared to be Latino and about 30 years old. He looked to be about 6 ft tall, and had long, black hair down to his neck along with dark brown eyes. He also looked every bit as fit as Wyatt did. He wasn't exactly in the kind of work attire I had come to know around the building, so I was pretty sure he didn't work at the company. As the man exited Wyatt's office, he stopped and stared at me for a good 10 seconds or so before continuing on down the hall. My focus was then immediately pulled away from the mystery man walking away.
Secretary: "Mr. Stokes will see you now."
Wyatt's secretary motioned for me to enter his office. I got up and calmly walked through the large, intimidating double doors to his office. As I passed through them, I made note of the thickness of the doors. They seemed like they were made specifically to prevent sound from traveling through them. "What's he doing in here? Discussing nuclear launch codes?" I thought to myself, trying not to break composure as I locked eyes with Wyatt.
Wyatt: "Please take a seat, Carter." he said as he gestured to the chair in front of his desk.
I sat down across the desk from him patiently awaiting him to initiate the conversation regarding my performance review.
Wyatt: "I hope the sudden change in plans didn't alarm you too much. I know it's customary for you to meet with Andrew, but I have taken notice of you over these past few months. I just really wanted to meet with you one-on-one. Before we go any further, let me assure you that I did not call you here for anything bad. I just really wanted to discuss a few important things with you directly."
I felt the tenseness in my shoulders start to release.
Me: "Thank you sir. I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you regarding my performance and would be happy to answer any ques..."
Wyatt held his hand up in a firm yet polite manner to cut me off.
Wyatt: "Your work performance is not in question. There is actually another matter that I would like to discuss with you. It is my understanding that you have been making inquiries with members of management about the potential for raises and promotions. That is to be expected of any high performing employee, but I have also been made aware by your friend Jake that you are actively seeking employment elsewhere."
I suddenly felt my heart begin to race. I was feeling a great deal of embarrassment, but also a bit of anger too. After all, I did not feel it was any of Wyatt's business that I was looking into other jobs. If I wanted to leave this company that was my prerogative. I also didn't appreciate finding out that Jake had spoken with the owner of the company about things it told him in confidence. I could tell that Wyatt must've detected my dissatisfaction.
Wyatt: "Please try not to be upset with Jake. He did not intend for me to find out any of this. As you are already aware, Jake's family has heavy ties to this industry. As such, I have been long acquainted with his parents and his two brothers. I simply overheard Jake discussing your situation with his brothers at a business dinner I attended with his family a couple of weeks back. He didn't realize I could hear him them discussing your situation. Although, I am glad I heard about it. I would hate to lose a special... asset... such as you."
I wondered why he paused on the word "asset" like that.
Wyatt: "I want to do what I can to retain your services in a way that benefits us both. Unfortunately, I do have to take this opportunity to inform you that we will not be able to offer you a promotion at this time. It's a matter of company policy. You simply haven't been here long enough, and there is a list of more senior employees that are ahead of you in line to be advanced to higher level positions. They have to be considered. I also feel that I need to be transparent with you regarding your desire for a raise. While, we can offer you a small raise, I do not believe it will be quite enough to meet your particular needs. That is what it really comes down to isn't it... you needing more money to pay off your debt, right?"
At an instant, all of my hopes and optimism suddenly vanished. I found myself right back in that place of desperation, wondering how much longer I had before my debt put me out on the streets. I was also feeling a little enraged at Wyatt's line of questioning. It didn't seem like the sort of thing an employer should be asking an employee. I knew I still needed the job though, so I did my best to maintain a calm demeanor and answered his question.
Me: "Yes, I am in need of more money due to my student loan debt."
Wyatt: "I understand. I experienced similar struggles at your age. It can be very frightening for your finances to continue dwindling with no clear path forward. Like I said, I do not want to lose you as an asset. I think I may have a creative solution to your problem that can benefit us both."
My discomfort continued to grow, but I remained open to what Wyatt had to say.
