Thoughts on Careers, Jobs and Working

After last weeks post, 11 Years---11 Lessons, I started to think about jobs, careers and working and how at such a young age we have to choose the path we want to go down and stay essentially for the next 20+ years. 

When I was growing up, I think what I wanted to be when I grew up consistently changed- ballerina, teacher, fashion designer, the list went on. 

I didn't work when I was in high school. My parents always said, my job was to get good grades so I could go to college. I worked really hard in school, I participated in various clubs and activities and I made sure my high school years were the fullest I could do. 

I volunteered a lot- mostly in the summers at the library as a SAIL member. Service and Achievement In the Library. It was a great program and it still runs today. I loved this program because being a bookworm as a kid (and even still now) working in the library was EXACTLY what I wanted. Unlimited books, the internet (big deal in the late 90's) and people who have known me since I was a baby. I can't remember how many summers I volunteered with SAIL but I do remember being able to being able to help out with story time- I thought that was the ABSOLUTE coolest thing ever. 

I had high hopes for when  I was working age, I hoped to work at the Rag Shop. The craft store of my dreams. I had gone to Camp Rags- their summer programs for kids for years and as I got older, I got to help out with Camp. As I was just about to reach 16, they went out of business. I was crushed. 

My first job was sophomore year college when I was a campus tour guide. This was perfect for me. I enjoyed talking to people, I loved the school i was attending (at the time) and I was personable. I was so excited for my tiny paychecks every two weeks. 

After I left college, I started working part in retail, specifically Victoria's Secret. To this day, I giggle about this 4 year job. I started in the Spring so my first year working retail at the mall for the holidays was quite the experience. The clientele that would come in and what we, as retail workers, would have to deal with was unreal. I worked my way up to Cash Wrap Manager for two holidays and while that was a bit crazy, it was perfect. I was able to make some money, I got some work experience and made some friends.  

During the time I was working retail, I also  got a job at the library for the summer as the SAIL Coordinator. I LOVED this job so much, interacting with teens, working in the library and having fun?! Yes please! This was fun to see the flip side of the SAIL program. I had volunteered with them for so long now I get to be in charge of them. The group of kids I had were great and the librarians I worked with were really amazing; the whole staff at the library I worked in was amazing too. We all had a great rapport with each other and it really didn't feel like work. 

I was lucky enough to be able to work as the SAIL coordinator for two summers. Those Summers taught me a lot and I am forever grateful for that. 

After all that, I landed my current job and have been there for 11 years. I ended up quitting my retail job soon after getting my current job and then during year 3, I decided to get part time job in the Summer. I was the Outdoor Tiki Hostess for one very long Summer. The location was great, the people were mostly great BUT the restaurant was not run well at all. It was a complete mess of a Summer. I learned that I did not want to work in a restaurant at all.

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In college, I had no idea what I wanted to do, heck looking back, I don't think I even wanted to go to college after high school. I think I did it because that's what was expected since I did well in school. Community College was not an option due to at the time (early 2000s) it was not looked upon like it is now. Everyone was going out of state for college and I felt pressure to do that as well even though I had never been that far away from my parents. I ended up choosing a school 2 hours away and in the beginning it was fun BUT that wore off quickly. 

I changed my major SO.MANY.TIMES. I had no direction and I kept changing it after taking one class in that field. I was a mess. To make matters worse, my advisor kept changing and every time I went to see them, it would be someone else. I don't think I was mature yet to be making these decisions either. After wasting time and lost of money, I left college in the middle  of the Fall semester of my junior year. To tell you the truth, I was kinda relieved. 

After leaving the four year college, I took some time off and I knew I needed something to do. My mom suggested becoming a paralegal after seeing an ad in the newspaper for an information session that would be happening soon. I had no idea what a paralegal did or what it really was. I thought I would go see what this was all about. 

After an information session at the community College the next county over. I ended up enrolling and was slated to start that Fall. I jumped in with two feet to this program and I really enjoyed it. The classes were taught by attorneys and their experience and real life work made it more real. The one attorney who taught the classes taught, at the time, at Seton Hall Law School. He told us he was giving us the same work as he was giving us his law students. It was nice that even at a community college (they were starting to gain popularity again) I was getting a GOOD education. 

As I was nearing graduation, I needed an internship. I interned at a congressional office  twice a week for a few months. It was very interesting and while I had no idea what a congressional office did, I really enjoyed learning what they did. I also interned at the office where I currently work now. 

These two internships showed me the ins and outs of working in an office. It was a wealth of knowledge that was a bonus to the work aspect. I enjoyed these internships and made lasting friendships with my then temporary coworkers. 

I started to apply for jobs and let both of my internship know I was looking for a job; my current job said they couldn't hire me after my internship ended, but I should keep in contact with them. I interviewed with a few attorneys in the meantime.  

After seeing the office and understanding what I would be doing, I didn't think it was a good fit for me. The one office I distinctively remember being very crowded with file boxes EVERYWHERE. I wasn't an anxious person then but that office made me super anxious.  The attorneys I interviewed with all offered me positions and I ended up declining them all. 

I went back to my part-time retail job for the summer and in the late summer, I was offered a position at the office where I work now. I was ecstatic and I couldn't be happier. I had to take a typing test and fill out an application and I was slated to start in October of that year.  

I happily accepted and started my career in 2011.  I was 23.  I was bright eyed and bushy tailed to chip in and help out wherever. I jumped right in with two feet and quickly was giving responsibility of helping out with the Adoptions section (which fast forward to 2014ish, became my position once that employee retired.) I loved it, I learned a lot and it kept me busy. 

Over the years I worked in many different areas of the office, I learned almost every part of the office and while now I am settled into my own area, I am happy for the knowledge of the whole office. 

Looking back over these 15 plus years, I can confidently say I would do things differently, if I could go back. For one, I would not go to college right out of high school. I would get a part time job during the year (Seniors could have a half day if they were working) and in the summers; I would focus on working and not volunteering SO much. I would take advantage of community college in high school (again another perk for juniors and seniors, which started in the mid 2000's and now high schoolers are graduating with associate degrees and their high school diplomas). I would also take my time and say to myself, you are 

I would also try out different jobs/internships and be more open to all the possibilities. In my mind, as 17 years old, I was dead set on becoming a fashion designer and moving to New York City. Spoiler Alert: I had no idea what that entailed even though I was taking sewing classes.  

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Thinking about my career path, it definitely was not the most straightforward but I am content where I am currently and while there is always room for improvement. Its always interesting to look back and see how far you've come. 

Do you look back on something to see how far you have come?

[[Somewhere there is a past you overflowing with so much pride looking how far you've come.]]