One of the things that Jamaal often says to me is that I'm not spontaneous enough.
What can I say - I love my plans!! But when something doesn't go as planned, I have some "difficulty" accepting it. So starting with this very blog post, I'm going to do it! I originally wanted to set the tone for my theme this month (as planned) but I had a new thought as I talked to my friend, Erica today.
Although I am not that old, I can't even count the number of jobs I've had. Some were worked one at a time and some were simultaneous. Although most people wouldn't choose to work, you have to admit that working does afford you some funny stories over drinks on Friday nights. So in order to figure out truly how many jobs I have had, I am going to start at the very beginning and write about each and every one of them!
My first "official" job was when I was 14 years old. The school district sponsored a summer work program that placed students in a number of positions sponsored by the school and park districts.
I worked in the office of a grade school superintendent. It was here that I put all of my skills to work and felt "official." I had plenty of experience talking to my friends on the phone so taking calls and messages was no problem! I had always enjoyed reading so reading manuals to learn how to do things just after being assigned to do them was right up my alley. Growing up with six siblings was a constant challenge of efficiency and being the oldest, I was always tasked with maintaining order if/when my parents were away. Before I knew it, I was running the office!!
Although somewhat of a faint memory, this job was meaningful and important to me and thus shaped my work ethic as an adult.
What about you - what was your very first job?
My first official job with a paycheck was working at Marshall's (brand names for less!) and I learned so much about 'working' in that position. Most importantly, I learned that you really do get jobs through who you know, one of my dad's friends was a manager, and all I really had to do was show up and fill out paperwork. From the shift managers I learned that people in charge aren't necessarily smarter than you, and also through a manager I learned (the day I quit) that you have to know what you believe in and when/how to stand up for yourself and your beliefs. I still think about that place whenever I go into a Marshall's and find myself straightening the shelves in the housewares section :)
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