In the two years since graduation, I've changed four jobs, all in the media industry at fairly well-known companies—television, online news, and public relations firms.
"Work only comes down to 'fit' and 'adaptation'—this came from a manager at a 4A PR group.
My personality is somewhat restless, easily influenced by "people," and unfairness seriously affects my emotions.
I majored in mass communication, so I've been exposed to everything from filming and editing to planning, graphic design, journalism, PR, and marketing. My work has always been of a certain standard.
During university, I already had a part-time job at a TV station. I had to leave temporarily due to coursework, so after graduation I really wanted to return to television. Unfortunately, after three months of submitting resumes and attending interviews with no good news, the job conditions at the time—a starting salary of 25K with 12-hour workdays—were truly hard to accept.
My first job was at Taiwan's current number-one web media company. Although the work was manageable and I received praise, I quickly discovered the environment wasn't challenging or competitive enough for me. Due to time constraints, my position kept doing repetitive tasks, lacking in expertise and growth.
I never forgot my dream of working at a TV station, but I felt the current news environment had declined from its past prosperity. Combined with my stronger aptitude for planning work, I jumped to a 4A group PR firm. I won't deny that part of it was because of the "halo effect"—wanting to challenge myself at the world's leading PR group.
Once there, the work was equally smooth. I quickly grasped client needs, solved problems, and knew how to complement my colleagues at events to make them run smoothly. The international company environment let me feel confident expressing myself. People wouldn't look down on you just because you were a newcomer.
This kind of work autonomy was actually very good, with plenty to learn. Overall, I believed my abilities were actually well-suited for this job.
But I still desperately wanted to work at a TV station. I also grew tired of constantly "cleaning up messes" for clients, releasing PR statements full of "things didn't go as planned," saying empty words forever, and so on. So not long after starting, my restless heart began fluctuating again.
I told my manager I was leaving. During our conversation, he asked, "Have you run into any difficulties at work?" Actually no—I felt I was doing very well. "Has anyone said you're not suited for this?" No, and most people thought I was doing great. The problem was just me not liking it.
He said,
"Work is like this—there are things you like and things you don't like. No job will satisfy you completely. If what you're talking about is a fit issue, no one thinks you're not suited for it, and you're doing well. But if what you're talking about is an adaptation issue, no one can help you. You need to think it through yourself."
At the time, I didn't quite understand what he meant. I still believed work was about liking and disliking, doing what you want to do, ignoring my own abilities and hastily leaving the company to go to a TV station.
Finally working at a TV station, I discovered every day was racing against time—every second mattered. Sometimes even supervisors got rushed and said unpleasant things, making me very stressed in those first days at the TV station. (Though I've successfully gotten through that period now.)
Later I realized the root of the problem was that "my thoughts" differed from "the company's thoughts" and "my supervisor's thoughts," creating communication gaps and poor cooperation. Combined with my stubborn personality—when someone raised their voice, I'd get nervous and couldn't speak—work gradually became an unhappy thing.
Or I'd convince myself that I was being blamed every day, that my abilities were questioned, losing confidence in doing things well. Every day I was trapped in endless darkness, constantly doubting myself, and my physical and mental health deteriorated.
Then I recalled "work only comes down to fit and adaptation," because everyone's personality and work approach are different. You should first assess what you "can do" and "can do well," then evaluate the job content and overall environment—not blindly pursue what you imagine you "want" based solely on "liking" and "interest."
In the end, an unsuitable environment, job, and industry will only crush your body and mind. Finding a place where you can properly exercise your abilities and build confidence is the true essence of work.
I also shared these reflections with the PR manager from my previous job, and he said, "I'm glad you have more insight into work. If you ever want to come back, just say the word." It really made me feel he was a great manager.
Many things, you really need to try before knowing if you can do them or do them well—not just assume based on "imagination" that you can do it, manage it, or do it well. In the end, you only force yourself into a mess. If you won't adapt to the environment, then change it—it just depends on whether you're willing.
Finally, the key points:
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A job you like and want isn't necessarily suited for you.
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Work only comes down to "fit" and "adaptation."
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Consider your nature and find "work you can do and do well."
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A good manager can take you to the next level.
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Suitable work builds confidence and helps you continually improve.
