The Day Everything Went Sideways at Work

I work at the University Recreation Center on campus. Most days are pretty straightforward—clock in, keep an eye on things, make sure people are staying safe and using the equipment right. But there was one day that reminded me why this job actually matters—and what it really means to stay calm under pressure.

I had just clocked in and not even three minutes into my shift. I glanced across the gym and saw something that instantly raised a red flag: someone had racked a barbell above the squat rack instead of on it. If you know gym equipment, you know how sketchy that is. It looked totally unstable. I started walking over to let the guy know, but I was too late.

The barbell slipped, fell forward, and scraped right down the side of his face. Blood—everywhere. It all happened in a matter of seconds.

I didn’t even have time to think. I just moved.

Luckily, I always carry a first aid kit backpack with me. I got to him, asked if he was okay, and handed him a compress to hold on the wound, told him to press firmly. Then I called the supervisor and helped him to the restroom so we could clean it up. He ended up needing stitches, and yeah—it was serious.

That day could have gone a lot worse. And while I wish I could’ve gotten to him a few seconds earlier, I’m proud of how I handled it. I stayed calm, focused, and acted fast.

What the whole situation reminded me is that risk management isn’t just some boring concept in a textbook. It’s real. It’s about seeing danger before it turns into something bigger—and knowing how to respond when things go sideways.

It also reminded me that staying calm in the middle of chaos is definately a skill—not everyone has it, but I’ve learned that I do. That’s something I don’t take lightly.

It was a rough day, no doubt. But it showed me that I’m on the right path. The work I do, the things I’m learning in and out of the classroom—they actually matter. Because when it comes down to it, being the person who can keep their head straight when things go wrong? That’s the kind of person I want to be.