8 things I learned from my first job

Do you remember your first job? I do.

I was 15 years old and it was at a restaurant called “The Ponderosa Steakhouse”. It was a weird concept of a restaurant – steak served cafeteria style. It doesn’t exist in Canada anymore but I think it’s still popular in parts of the US.

I was so excited to get the job because my older sister worked there. I idolized my older sister so, if she worked there, it must be cool.

The uniform was hideous. Seriously, it was bad. A red and white button down checked shirt with short bubble sleeves; a wrap-around tan skirt that went down to mid-calf (it was polyester so it stuck to whatever tights or nylons you were wearing) and a matching tan tam (yes, I just said tan tam).

Tam – short for tam-o’-shanter: a cap of Scottish origin, usually made of wool, having a round, flat top that projects all around the head and has a pompon at its center.

Fortunately, the tam didn’t have a pompon but I still struggle to see the Scottish connection to steak. Haggis – yes; Steak – no. Maybe the owner was Scottish. No matter – I’m sure that the uniforms are much less embarrassing now.

The uniform didn’t matter; I was 14 and just so happy to have a job. Any job. I felt so grown up making my own money. I cleared tables and replenished the salad bar earning a whopping $2.15 an hour and I was thrilled.

I learned a lot at my first job and at the two other jobs that I had over my teenage years. They taught me life lessons that can only be learned out in the real world.

Kids today need jobs when they’re teenagers. Did I just say “kids today”? Oh crap! Am I old enough now to use that phrase!

Too many argue that “education comes first” and that the kids should concentrate on school without the distraction of having a job. Or that sports is more important for physical education and to learn about teamwork.

But what about the school of life? They need to learn what it’s like out in the real world and how to deal with it. And they need to learn it early. After all, it’s the real world they will be living in when the schooling is done.

We’ve all been in contact with young people at their first jobs and I think it’s important that we be part of the things that they learn.

I had just such an opportunity a little while ago.

I was at the grocery store and the young lady at the register rang through my entire order while talking socially on the phone. She didn’t even hang up as she took my money.

I just let her do it and, when I was finished, I went directly to the manager. He was very polite as I expressed my frustration and thoughts that this was unacceptable. He agreed and said that he would address it immediately.

I watched as he walked over to this young lady; had her put her register on hold and walked her to his office for a “chat”. I felt terrible! This poor young girl was getting in trouble – possibly even fired. What was the big deal, she’s just a teenager and doesn’t know any better.

But wait! She should know better. And how is she going to learn any better if she isn’t called out. This was basic respect for the customer. At 17 or 18 years old, you should already know basic respect. And if she didn’t know basic respect now; she was about to learn.

She may or may not have lost her job but, either way, she learned an important lesson that day. The kind of lesson you need to learn at your first job so you can carry it forward to future jobs.

I’ve tried to explain the importance of first jobs to my kids over the years but I’m not so sure I got my points across to them. So I will share with you – lucky you! Feel free to use when you need to make a point with your kids or grand kids (or your deadbeat brother-in-law).

8 things you learn from your first job:

1. First jobs are where you learn what you DON’T want to do for the rest of your life.
2. You learn to listen and take direction from someone who can fire you. Teachers can’t fail you (anymore) and parents won’t kick you out of the house but a boss WILL fire you if you try that crap on them.
3. You learn to work alongside all different kinds of people. You can’t whine to your boss to change groups when “Cathy” is being too bossy.
4. This isn’t allowance – you actually have to do the work to get the money.
5. There are no participation ribbons. You only get awarded (a raise or a promotion) when it is earned.
6. You learn time management – you don’t get to come and go as you please and there are consequences for being late or skipping a shift altogether.
7. Many first jobs require you to work with the general public and you learn one of the most important lessons of all – patience and tolerance.
8. If you don’t learn patience and tolerance (see above) then you have learned that you shouldn’t work with the general public.

Did I miss anything? Are there lessons you learned at your first job that you want to share? Share in the comments below.

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