What Were Your First Few Jobs?

For those of use with a few years of experiences under our belt… Have you just stop to think back to those first 5 jobs that you had? I was asked from a client, “what were your first few jobs and how did they shape your overall career?” First, I have to say that question was something that I never expected. It definitely got me to pause and get the wheels turning in my head.

Here goes mine!

1. It was a family business cleaning carpets. I worked for my dad. I can remember lots of lessons from that first job. Right off the top, working for your family is probably the most demanding of any job. You never were told the expectations – it was a given. My father instilled in me, that you have to work hard all the time to get anywhere in life. If you are asked to clean toilets, you make them shine!
2. Jack-in-the Box while going to college. Working fast food is an experience all in itself (especially across from a college campus). Since I was going to school full-time, I normally got late and overnight shifts. Late night was filled with plenty of customer service issues (bars closed at 1am). My experience from this job was all centered on moving quickly and being friendly. It was my first time working with co-workers that were not family. Got to learn how to work as a team to make things happen.
3. Myron’s Service Center. Started out as a summer job working for my soon to be father-in-law. Another job working with the public. It was a Mobil gas station that had a big, busy repair business. This experience heighten my awareness for providing outstanding customer service. We had a very loyal customer base that we did not want to let down. That summer job took on a much bigger role. For awhile my father-in-law got sick and I was left to run the business for him. He was a home, so I had a person to ask questions to. I think that particular job shaped me the most. I was lucky enough to have a boss that helped me learn and gain confidence in my abilities. Running a business is not easy. I was able to do that because of the skills I picked up from my first job.
4. US Army Reserves. When I graduated from college, I was a second lieutenant in the Army. I held different positions in reserve units. This was my first job that I was thrust into a leadership role. A wet behind the ears new second lieutenant. My OJT was awesome. I learned early on to trust the people that work for me. They have much more experience and are more willing to be lead from someone that does not think they are a know-it-all.
5. Intel. My first experiences in corporate America. I started out as a wafer sort operator and quickly was promoted to supervisor. Using all of the tools and experience gathered in my first 4 jobs helped me demonstrate that I was a hard worker that was a sponge for learning. I spent almost 29 years working for them!

Each job you have is more tools for the tool box. They should build on each other. I am proud of my first 5 jobs… They truly have made me. Was that road easy? No way, it should never be easy. You have to earn it by working hard and never stop learning along the way.

What would be your first few jobs and how did they shape your overall career?