Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Alyssa Jaffer is a journalist covering careers, health and lifestyle. People in a startup business space celebrating a co-worker.

Perhaps you, like the many U.S. employees who've posted viral memes and videos over the past couple years, accidentally became important at work. Maybe you offered help to a coworker one too many ...

I was 16 years old when I got my first “real” job at a local Jack-in-the-Box. It was not a great gig, for sure, working over a hot grill and dealing with rude, demanding customers. But I was saved ...