19 August 2015

My First Job: The Ladders

In the past couple of weeks, The Ladders reached out to be in hopes of inspiring me to write about my first job. This request brought back a lot of memories to children I've babysat, and beer spilt on me.


By working, I saved money to study abroad in Spain! I saved even more by tutoring English while abroad!

I've held a number of jobs and internships over the past 10 years. Starting off at the young age of 11, I helped "watch" my siblings while my parents were away for short periods of time. Starting at 12, I babysat regularly once a week and on weekends until I started nannying for my parents' best friends. Their three girls taught me patience, time management and how to make the most of situations. During my time as a nanny, we had some really fun times and a couple bad days. Nannying showed me that I actually didn't want to be a teacher, as well as introduced me to public relations (via the mother). Not only did I work as a nanny the summer after my senior year of high school, I was also a busser and hostess at a local resturant.

Working at a resturuant was the first time that I applied for a job, had an interview and was hired. Being a busser wasn't very glamourous, and there was a significant amount of beer and tartar sauce spilled on be. However I enjoyed working with the staff, and it taught me how to be accountable as well as the importance of tipping and being a respectful customer.

Both of these jobs taught me multiple lessons as well as helped me get my first internship and job on campus. First, I learned how being a little early for every shift or workday is crucial. Second, I learned the importance of staying until the job is finisehd while being efficient. Third, relationships are everything because they help you become a better employee/person. Fourth, every job teaches you something. After I ended these two jobs, I realized I didn't want to be a teacher or work in a resturant my whole life. Even if you find out what you don't want to do, every job can teach you something.

Working from a young age has taught me the value of hard work, experiences and doing your best no matter the job. Due to my experiences, I value my money and time as well as others money and time.

These days I'm reading to be done with hourly jobs and continue on to my career as a salaried employee. However I value every one of my experiences because I learned something from each, and the jobs as well as the people have helped me find my way as well as my next job.

What was your first job? What did you learn from it? Did help you figure out your career?

xoxo




25 comments:

  1. Like you, my first job was babysitting in middle school (I thought that I could finally live out my Babysitters' Club Book fantatsies haha), but my first "Job" job was working at a bakery in the summers starting when I was 16! Overall I did really enjoy it. It wasn't perfect and not something I'd want to do for the rest of my life, but definitely a pretty great first job (and lots of free baked goods- I miss that!)

    xoxo A
    www.southernbelleintraining.com

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  2. I've worked from a young age as well - restaurant hostess, babysitter, retail, insternships... I can really relate to your wide variety of experiences. I truly believe that working from a young age and working at an array of different places provides an amazing outlook and perspective for me as a young adult!

    http://www.thepdxbelle.com/

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  3. My first job was babysitting as well. It was tiring but it really taught me how to handle kids! My first actual job is working at a coffee shop -- and I still have that job. It gets stressful at times but I like it overall!

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  4. My first job was babysitting also and then that turned into nannying. My first real job was in retail and that was definitely a bust. (Retail isn't so bad, it was just my store that was frustrating)

    xoxo, Jenny || Breakfast at Lillys

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  5. My first job was working at an ice cream store! A friend got me the interview, and I spent five total years with the company. I was (and am still) very close with my previous boss and learned so much through my time with them!

    Pick Your Beau

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  6. My first job was babysitting as well! I still nanny on the week nights for a family after my full time job. I think it showed me my true love for children and proved that ultimately I want to be a full time mom. Loved hearing about your first jobs!

    -Morgan
    How 2 Wear It [] http://how2wearit.com

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  7. You seriously learn the most lessons from your first job…and your experiences sound so exciting - not many people get those opportunities. Just setting yourself up for success early babe! x Nicole | www.changeanddress.com

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  9. I remember my first job vividly. I have such wonderful memories from it and I love how independent I felt!

    Nicole // Chronicling Home

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  10. My first job was as a babysitter then I worked at Hollister, then as a receptionist at a hair salon and in college as a nanny. First jobs teach us a lot!

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  11. The only job I've ever had has been nannying. I have been babysitting since I was 13 but worked full time as a nanny beginning my senior year of high school. That job has continued and I now have about three families I split my time between! I love kids and I love the relationships I build with them and their parents.

    http://thealwaysblog.com

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  12. First job was definitely babysitting (started at 12)First for real job where I was on taxes, etc I started at 14 working at a pizza place! I've had many jobs since then, but blogging has definitely been my favorite! :)

    Courtney//
    As We Stumble Along

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  13. My first job was babysitting as well but my first "real" job was being a secretary. It was the furthest thing from glamorous but I learned how to save and how to develop a good work ethic!

    Annie // Annie N Belle

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  14. My first job was babysitting!! My first real job was retail and it was....eh....
    Lauren
    The Fashionista's Diary

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  15. I could not agree with you more! Starting work at an early age definitely taught me the value of hard work and doing my best no matter the job! Like you, I started off babysitting. I loved it and think it is what led me to my career as a teacher. I also spent some time working in my grandparents orchard. Nothing harder than standing for 8 hours and sorting apricots and peaches!

    xo Ashley

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  16. I am now officially jealous you studied abroad in Spain! Kudos to you for working, saving, and living your best life!

    xo,
    Stephanie
    Diary of a Debutante
    www.thediaryofadebutante.com

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  17. I used to scoop dog poop and pick up pinecones in our yard and my dad would pay me based on a determined rate per pound haha I still have an IOU that I had written out for him when I was like 8

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  18. I totally agree that every job teaches you something, no matter how bad it is! Sounds like you have an amazing work ethic!

    xo, Alicia | Alicia Tenise

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  19. My first job was a blogger and I stick with that field till now!!

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  20. I helped out around my parents' office when I was in high school - it's always great to hear about how developing a strong work ethic at a young age can be beneficial!
    xx, The Southwestern Prepster

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  21. I definitely agree that starting out young teaches you the value of hard work. One of my first jobs was babysitting as well!

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  22. It's amazing how much you can learn from the experience of having a job - while at the time it doesn't seem so informative. Every experience teaches you something, and jobs definitely teach you the responsibility of accountability for sure!

    With Love, Fatema | creativeinthearts.blogspot.co.uk

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  23. It's crazy how sometimes it really is the jobs we least expect to that end up teaching us the most!

    Coming Up Roses

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  24. My first job was working at a barn. I would groom and tack up horses and was a counselor at the summer camp. I learned a lot about hard work, professionalism, and responsibility. Plus I got free lessons!

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  25. My first job was as a waitress. Sometimes it was great, because the tips would count up to be more that minimum wage, but then there were weeks where it wasn't. Not a great job, but it was a start!

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