a low man on the totem pole at the station

[joham]

I was a low man on the totem pole at the station.

What does the sentence mean? Thank you in advance.

[Barb_D]

Have you tried looking online for a meaning for the expression "low man on the totem pole"? Search for that phrase and then see if you can understand it.

[joham]

Thanks a lot, Barb. I've learned the meaning of the phrase. Then, another question:

In most cases I found the phrase is used without the article 'a'. Does it matter whether we use 'a' or not? Thank you again.
P.S. I'm part/a part of the project. Is it good English with and without 'a'?