When I was growing up, my parents and I went back and forth on the value of a part-time or summer job. As immigrants wanting their children to find “success” they wanted me and my sister to focus on the important thing – studying. Anything outside of studying, including socializing and working for a paycheck, was optional. Very optional. They figured they were working hard enough so that we wouldn’t have to later on. Our work was being top students.
But somehow I managed to take on a variety of part-time jobs. I suspect it had more to do with my parents’ desire to instill in me a good work ethic, to teach me the value of money and budgeting, and the reality that the money tree wasn’t growing fast enough to get both daughters through school.
So, here as best as I can recall are the jobs I had up until college graduation and what I learned:
- babysitter – I don’t like being in a stranger’s house, even if they are paying me to do so.
- library page – There are too many good books and not enough time to read them.
- park district swimming instructor – I teach swimming better than I can swim myself.
- cashier at an educational toy store – Somewhere out there someone can turn any educational kids’ game into a drinking game.
- private tutor – People will spend A LOT of money to help their kids write better, study better, test better.
- office administrative assistant – I like to organize.
- dry cleaning cashier – Working for your parents is difficult, but I did appreciate them even more.
- newspaper intern – I love the pressure of a deadline.
- hostess/waitress – Treating restaurant staff with respect and a smile goes a long way.
- radio intern – There is a lot of eating and laughing that goes on off-air.