I have some job-related news that I will be sharing with you on Friday, so my next couple of posts will be work-centric.
I have been working, in some form, since I was about 16. I probably started babysitting when I was 14, but I don't count those years as 'working years'. My first 'real' job was teaching piano. I taught piano from my sophomore year through my senior year of high school. By the time I was a senior, I had about 10 students, one of which was my younger sister Abby. Boy was that a challenge. I think we spent more time fighting than I spent actually teaching her. I digress.
Anyways, it was a fantastic part time job. My little student were all so cute! The job taught me time management and I had to fill out invoices to give to the parents of my kids. Oh, and what other job requires you to have a hefty supply of stickers to reward for star performances!
I always thought that if I ever got married and had a house full of kids, maybe I would be a stay at home mom and then give piano lessons on the side to make a little extra money. It's becoming less and less likely I will do that now that I have invested so much in my eduction, specifically my masters program, but it's a nice thought. My piano teacher was a SAHM and she had upwards of 60 students! So it was more of a quasi-full time job for her.
It's weird to hear about what my little pupils are up to. They aren't little kids anymore. Which is kind of odd - sometimes I feel like I should be getting older, but everyone else should stay at the age they were in my memories of them. So to hear that some of these kiddos have graduated from college and are getting engaged? Yowza! Makes this retired piano teacher feel a little bit old!
So what was your first job?
You know, 4 of my girlfriends were actually doctors and lawyers who paused practicing to stay home with little ones. It's totally up to you - but don't feel like you CAN'T be a SAHM because you're "too educated" or invested too much. That's not fair to anyone ;-)
ReplyDeleteI babysat in high school, until my senior year. Our little town opened a Pizza Hut and all my girlfriends and I snapped up every job from waitressing to cooking. It was SO much fun to work together!
Other than babysitting - my first job was lifeguarding at the pool! I did that for 5 years! I do believe you even visited me there several times. Those were the days! :) can't wait to hear about your work news!
ReplyDeleteI was a cashier at Boston Chicken (that was back before they changed the name to Boston Market). I had to wear black pants, black keds type sneakers, a blue oxford shirt and my Boston Chicken hat. Lovely...
ReplyDeletePersonally my dream has always been to be a SAHM, but that's totally personal and not the right desicion for everyone. You'll know what's right for you when the time comes.
Ahh first jobs! I worked at a small town dairy bar. My next one though was concessions at the movie theatre and that rocked. We "worked" for about 25% of our shift and the rest was eating popcorn, watching movies and making up games that involved the cardboard cutouts!!
ReplyDeleteFirst job? I had a couple...
ReplyDelete* Cotillion instructor. Probably my favorite one as we were paid cash every week.
* Day Care Provider on Sunday mornings during church. I never had any kids so I sat there waiting for two hours, listening to the sermon
* Customer Care Rep at a Dry Cleaners (also an awesome job because I worked with two of my best friends)
I think I'd like to be a SAHM if I ever kids, at least unitl they are in school full-time, so for about five years or so? I figure I can make that happen somehow. At least I hope I can =)
Fun post!
ReplyDeleteMy very first job was a waitress, actually! I grew up in the country and there was a small store and cafe and by cafe, I actually mean truck stop, and my first job was waitressing there. Even though I was only 13. I served alcohol and everything, haha! I worked there for two years and I feel like it was a great character building job for me. It was tough work, there was only ever one cook and one server working and sometimes the cafe would fill right up with people!
After that I worked in retail for a couple months before completing my lifeguard certification. I then lifeguarded for four summers in between college and I continued waitressing while I was going to school.
Honestly, the best job I ever had was one of my waitressing jobs. I was really close with all the girls I worked with and we would always hang out together after work and come into the restaurant when we weren't working to hang out. It was a super fun, relaxed atmosphere and I made killer tip money!
That sounds like a fun first job!! I know nothing about playing the piano but I'm guessing its not easy to teach!
ReplyDeleteMy first job was at a library re-shelving books. I actually really liked it a lot and was always finding new books to read!!
Looking forward to your job related news on Friday!
I also loved that when you were my piano teacher...we eventually just quit doing lessons. they were Supposed to be weekly, and eventually turned into monthly. So funny. Those were rough sessions!
ReplyDeleteMy first job was the Old Brick Inn as a waitress in Battle Lake. Because it was a smaller town I more of a waitress/bartender/everything else...It was interesting!
Well, actually I hosted at "Graystone" 2 shifts and realized that my *promised* waitressing job was a lie. So I quit!
I am so excited about your work news!!!!
A babysitter/nanny and then a sales associate at Sears, then multiple daycare/nanny positions, a gas station and then substitute teaching/ real teaching/ more subbing.. haha
ReplyDeleteMy first job was at a deli when I was 14 and I have been working ever since! The only break I took was my semester in college.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't count babysitting, or working for my grandma Irene mowing lawn and tearing about pat 7 gene's old house when her and Goerge moved into it...than I'd have to say my first "real" job was Lake County Gardens. Unlike Julie i only worked there one summer, I wasn't as in love with it as she was!!
ReplyDelete