For me, nothing is just a job—every role leaves its mark on me, whether I expect it to or not.
In February, I accepted a clerical position with the IRS as a way to keep up with monthly bills. At first, I tried to convince myself that this position was “just a job.” I thought I’d keep my head down. I would do the work and move on. As time went on, I realized I can’t let my brain rest – I wanted to organize, streamline, and improve.
I was soon put in a place of leadership with my department’s entire clerical staff. By June, I was training all new hires. I answered questions from fellow clerks and Tax Examiners. I also created a new workflow for filing and assigning work.
The role may not have been the most mentally stimulating. However, I found the people I worked with truly rewarding. They taught me unexpected lessons.
- Patience in mentoring – In earlier roles, I mentored individuals with backgrounds in communications or marketing. But at the IRS, I had to teach people from scratch, with no prior knowledge. I learned to adapt my training to suit vastly different learning styles, cultivating the patience required to help them succeed.
- New ways to think about processes – My work has always been digital, but here, everything is paper-based. The transition to paper cases pushed me to rethink old workflows. I found creative ways to apply my skills to tangible work. I also improved our digital systems.
- Diverse collaboration – Working alongside people with a variety of backgrounds—medical coding, IT, education—has expanded my perspective on problem-solving. We all brought different experiences to the table. This diversity helped us create processes that worked for everyone, not just one type of employee.
- Communication – As someone with a neurospicy brain, I know my thought processes can sometimes be a bit unconventional. But this experience taught me to slow down, be more mindful of how I communicate, and to embrace clarity as I adapt to different communication styles.
During an interview this week, I was asked why the IRS role wasn’t on my resume. At first, I was taken aback—why would I include a clerical position on a marketing resume? But it was then that I realized just how much this role had impacted me, my skills, and my outlook. Thank you to this “just a job” for reminding me that a role, no matter how unexpected, can still teach, transform, and renew.
On Tuesday, I submitted my notice and was immediately met with a mix of emotions; excitement that I was able to find a new position in the industry that I love, sadness that I was leaving, and heartfelt well-wishes from my team. They even planned a farewell celebration for me—a first in my career. In previous roles, my resignation was met with disappointment or immediate dismissal, not gratitude. I honestly do not know if I’ve ever had a manager or leader thank me for my hard work before.
Leaving the IRS is bittersweet. I’m excited to return to marketing, but I carry forward the patience, adaptability, and new perspective on teamwork that this experience has given me. Thank you to everyone at the IRS for showing me that even the most surprising roles can leave a lasting impact.
Thank you especially to Keeke, Ashley, Rameka, Jeroline, Donna, Bob and Stephanie for reminding me that collaboration and workplace bonds can still exist at any level. You all arrived in my life when I had lost my confidence and my spark. Without your support and your positive attitudes, I would not have handled my 14 months outside of the marketing world as successfully as I have.
Randi Reed 