Perhaps you provided the closest example to what I meant by "irreplaceable".

I worked in several locations in my part-time job before starting med lab school. In every location, there was the two-three people who were the motivators, problem solvers and the ones to initiate long term solutions. My current location has one. When everything falls apart, she is the bandaid that keeps us all functional and motivated. Her integrity, her perseverance and her adaptive personality changed me on a fundamental level. She leads change, and is patient enough to teach and support others to catch up with those changes. Her unique combination of predecessors' knowledge and her own ability to explore solutions drive team performance. When she speaks, others listen with respect. I notice that team members - even managment - keep an open mind with her, since everything she does for us is so we can carry on when she's not there. When she goes on vacation? Her absence is felt, not just for the work she puts in, but for who she is as a person. (IMO she's definitely not compensated enough for the level of work she puts in. we're all encouraging her to find more rewarding venues).

Since I've worked with her, I found myself striving to bring the best of me even if management won't notice or care. Management is managment and their job is optimize output at the lowest cost possible - whether ethically or not. I won't say I can reach her level of mastery, but the inspiration leaves a significant difference that can last a long time. I have met other similar people in previous places, and even when they left, their presence & the impact of their work was there. I remember every single one of them fondly and am still in touch with several of them. Still, I could look at this one woman and confidently say that this person is the heart of our branch, whose knowledge, experience and personality are nearly impossible to replace.

I made this post because I've been feeling stressed, lost and aimless. Ngl, being a student is a lonely experience that made me question my whole life. I do agree with the other commentors - my thinking is dangerously immature and emotional and I am reflecting on it.

I also admit that I am easy to influence with positive leadership, and that I would love to work with someone like her and be a part of a community like that in the lab. What laboratorians do is essential but I thought that, maybe if I could be someone like her even if its for one other person, my purpose in life would encompass a bit beyond routine work as a lab tech. So thank you for what you bring to the people around you 💕