Toss your dashed hopes, not into a trash bin, but into a drawer where you are likely to rummage some bright morning.

–Robert Brault

While growing up my parents always told me that school was my job. They were therefore willing to provide me with modest amounts of spending money if I showed good effort and contributed to the running of the household. When I became a teenager, however, I was expected to work each summer and I agreed with that plan. I grew embarrassed about asking for their spare change. I understood it was time to step up.

I babysat. Gave piano lessons to the kids in the neighborhood. Worked as an office assistant to my uncle who investigated insurance claims. The summer before I left for college I fulfilled the public’s late-night cravings for Mexican food at Taco Bell. During college I worked as a technical writer for a group of civil engineers who could supervise construction projects but not string words together in a document. I dreaded the job hunting and years later related to the frustration my own kids experienced when March approached and I began the parent mantra: What are you doing to find a summer job?

Our son’s summer work plan had potential for adventure and descent compensation: He’d work aboard a fishing tender in Alaska. By summer’s end he’d have spending money and additional funds to stow away for grad school. He’d also have stories to tell for a lifetime.

What he could not have imagined was a captain who struggled with unmedicated mental illness and raged all day, every day — verbally brutalizing his crew to such an extent that half left mid season. Back home to again look for work, Dan’s dashed hopes have become life lessons and here are a few:

There are people worldwide who are forced to work in extreme conditions because of economic necessity. They don’t have psychological and economic safety nets. The take-home lessons? Surround yourself with good people, family and friends who can offer support in various ways when you need a soft place to fall. Most importantly, identify your skills then gather the training and education necessary so you can make career and workplace choices.

Extreme stress brings out the worst in everyone. Dan tells of not liking how he felt or the things he thought about while hearing his captain verbally abuse his crew over the boat’s intercom system. The lesson? In poor working conditions good people no longer recognize themselves. Under good management employees soar.

When business practices are handled poorly at best and illegally at worst, you can bet that at some point you will be mismanaged as well. The take home? Choose honesty and integrity every time.

Best laid plans can fail and you will find yourself scrambling. The lesson? Adjust, adjust, adjust. Be flexible. Have enough money in your pocket for a phone call, a taxi, and a meal. Know how to get home and know when to make a U-turn.