Finding the Right Fit: My First Job Fail

When I graduated from dental hygiene school, nobody was talking about “finding the right fit.” The vibe was more like: “Jobs are scarce, so if someone offers you one, take it and don’t ask questions.” So that’s what I did. And spoiler: it was not the dream job I thought it would be.

I heard about an office that needed maternity leave coverage and figured, “Perfect, this will turn into something long-term!” They told me I’d be paid as a 1099 contractor—which at the time really had no idea what that meant but I said great!  Nope. It meant no benefits, no protections, and basically me footing my own tax bill. But little eager Kim didn’t know that yet.

Day one, I showed up bright and early, ready to flex my hygiene muscles! That’s when the fun began. On my office tour I was shown a cold sterile setup—which, if you’re not familiar, is… not it. Next, my schedule was back-to-back 45-minute prophies, a huge jump from the four-hour appointments I’d just left behind in school. And my instrument tray? Welllll that had four items: a probe, an explorer, an anterior sickle, and an 11/12. That’s it. Apparently, I was supposed to scale a lot of mesials! 

After a few months of muscling through, I felt totally defeated. No mentorship, no support, and no clue what I was doing. I started to wonder, “Is this really what I signed up for? Did I just make a massive mistake with my career?”

Here’s the thing: your first job sets the tone. The right office can help you grow, boost your confidence, and make you love your new career. The wrong one? It can crush your soul  before you’ve even figured out how to sharpen your scalers. I wish someone had told me that you don’t have to say yes to the first offer, that it’s okay to ask about mentorship, scheduling, and expectations, and that the way you feel in an interview matters just as much as the job description. 

This is exactly why I’m hosting my next webinar: Finding the Right Fit After Graduation. (Register here!) We’ll chat about how to spot red and green flags in offices, what questions to ask in interviews, how to align your values with your workplace, and what to do if you realize your first job isn’t the right one for you.

Because here’s the truth: you don’t owe an office your peace just because they gave you a chance. Your career should feel good. Your first office should support your growth. And if it doesn’t? You’re allowed to walk away.

Don’t be “little eager Kim” walking into her first job with a probe, an explorer, and a dream. Learn from me. Find the right fit!!