First Day At My First Full-Time Job

First Day At My First Full-Time Job

So many 'Firsts' today I think my head might explode...

Victoria Ramsdell
Victoria Ramsdell Jun 6, 2019
962
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Up until this point in my life, I have not had to deal with the level of adulting that life is requiring of me now. I have never had to pay bills, and only ever needed a part-time job; I am good at having a part-time job. I plan my time accordingly and am very used to not being at work all the time. That nine to five office job has never looked appealing to me, so I have tried to stay away from it for as long as I can. Up until now, I have worked at Chick-Fil-A (great first job by the way) an awesome coffee shop called Dutch Bros, and, I worked with a world champion horse in an equestrian competition called Dressage. I recently, however, picked up a full-time job as a helper at a summer camp/day care of a local school.

I had some serious doubts about this job because I am really committed to finding ways that I can make money more enjoyably. Since I still have minimal bills to pay, I don't want to waste my time and my summer on a job that I hate just because I need money. Honestly, I would rather have no job and no money, and figure other ways to have a great summer. I am getting older, though, and I need to start being serious about saving up for my future.

I am also really introverted and didn't think I could handle being around so many people for this long. I have worked summer camps with hundreds of children at a time before and didn't want this to be as draining as those were. I love working with children, but anytime I am with anyone for an extended period of time I begin thinking about the next time I can be alone. Though this summer camp has a total of maybe around 100 people, including staff, my nerves were still on edge.

My greatest fear was that I would be extremely uncomfortable in this world place. The parents and staff at this school, and really in this town, have very little moral similarities to mine. The upbringing of children is extremely different from how I believe children should be raised, and even their spiritual beliefs seem a little sideways. On top of that, many people in this town are extremely conservative, and my progressive views always clash with theirs. I was worried that I would never feel settled in. I was also worried that I would not get to enjoy casual relationships with some of my coworkers because of our differing beliefs.

I was pleasantly surprised that I was wrong about pretty much all of it. Not only do I feel welcomed to settle into my position and create some good friendships, but I feel wanted and needed, which is a feeling I love. I struggle with a deep feeling of disappointment to the point where I question depression (might talk about that later), and I noticed that I really tried to push that feeling down today. Showing self-control and restraint aren't my strong suites. I am really into just going where my feelings lead. Today I showed a lot of patience, for children and other staff members, and I am proud of myself for that.

It was not a perfect day, but it was surprisingly pleasant, and I learned a lot about myself. I survived day one of my first full-time job. Let's see how I do for the rest of the summer.

Victoria Ramsdell
Victoria Ramsdell Jun 6, 2019
At Oklahoma State

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Working With People Who Are Dying Teaches You So Much About How To Live

Spending time with hospice patients taught me about the art of dying.

Noor Abi Rached
Noor Abi Rached Apr 26, 2019
72066
views

Death is a difficult subject.

It is addressed differently across cultures, lifestyles, and religions, and it can be difficult to find the right words to say when in the company of someone who is dying. I have spent a lot of time working with hospice patients, and I bore witness to the varying degrees of memory loss and cognitive decline that accompany aging and disease.

The patients I worked with had diverse stories and interests, and although we might have had some trouble understanding each other, we found ways to communicate that transcended any typical conversation.

I especially learned a lot from patients severely affected by dementia.

They spoke in riddles, but their emotions were clearly communicated through their facial expressions and general demeanor, which told a story all on their own.

We would connect through smiles and short phrases, yes or no questions, but more often than not, their minds were in another place. Some patients would repeat the details of the same event, over and over, with varying levels of detail each time.

Others would revert to a child-like state, wondering about their parents, about school, and about family and friends they hadn't seen in a long time.

I often wondered why their minds chose to wander to a certain event or time period and leave them stranded there before the end of their life. Was an emotionally salient event reinforcing itself in their memories?

Was their subconscious trying to reconnect with people from their past? All I could do was agree and follow their lead because the last thing I wanted to do was break their pleasant memory.

I felt honored to be able to spend time with them, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was intruding on their final moments, moments that might be better spent with family and loved ones. I didn't know them in their life, so I wondered how they benefited from my presence in their death.

However, after learning that several of the patients I visited didn't have anyone to come to see them, I began to cherish every moment spent, whether it was in laughter or in tears. Several of the patients never remembered me. Each week, I was a new person, and each week they had a different variation of the same story that they needed to tell me.

In a way, it might have made it easier to start fresh every week rather than to grow attached to a person they would soon leave.

Usually, the stories were light-hearted.

They were reliving a memory or experiencing life again as if it were the first time, but as the end draws nearer, a drastic shift in mood and demeanor is evident.

A patient who was once friendly and jolly can quickly become quiet, reflective, and despondent. I've seen patients break down and cry, not because of their current situation, but because they were mourning old ones. These times taught me a lot about how to be just what that person needs towards the end of their life.

I didn't need to understand why they were upset or what they wanted to say.

The somber tone and tired eyes let me know that what they had to say was important and worth hearing. What mattered most is that someone who cared was there to hear it.

Noor Abi Rached
Noor Abi Rached Apr 26, 2019
At Emory University

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A Few Birthday Thoughts

Goodbye teenage years, hello twenties!

Hanna Bewley
Hanna Bewley Jun 24, 2019
301
views

So, it is looking like I am about to leave my teenage years behind. I think that I want to reflect back on this time in my life and think about what I want to keep with me in my twenties and maybe some things I can let go. My teenage years have been full of love from my family and friends; hard work to make good grades in school and creating art. I developed several great friendships that I have held on to across the miles even though I went to college 14 hours away from our previous home. I am so thankful for the friendships I have made in college as well.

It seems like friends you make in your childhood and younger years can really stand the test of time. Maybe it is because when you became friends you were truly who you were. Everyone was genuine and didn't put up walls to protect themselves. You got to know someone on a deeper more personal level more quickly than if you had met later in life. I also think we laughed even more as children and that always creates good memories to look back on. So I think in my twenties I will try to hang on to the "childish" way of making friends. I will try to show my true self and will accept them for who they are, and we will laugh....a lot.

I think a good thing to let go of is always trying to make dead-end relationships work. When we were children on the playground and we tried to play a game together or jump rope and it just wasn't working, we would run off and find someone else. It was easy. It was just natural. Now sometimes I find myself trying to stay in a relationship by being overly nice, giving gifts, trying to find what pushes the persons "good" buttons. I might spend so much time trying to figure this person out that I leave out more solid relationships that are worth my time. So in my twenties, I will try to be more realistic about who to spend my time on. Some people are just never going to stand the test of time. I can continue to be cordial but won't let them rule my time and thought life.

As children, we loved our parents and siblings and would show love to them in a myriad of ways. Maybe it was hugs, pictures on the fridge, good night kisses, playing games, or just quality time spent together as a family. Starting my twenties, I am mature enough to realize the value of these people in my life. Thankfully, I have always known this. I was never the type that was embarrassed if someone saw me walking with my Mom or Dad or being dropped off in the Mom Van somewhere. I always knew these people loved me more than anyone else I was about to meet. But in my twenties, I plan to keep up with my family even when I am eight hours away from them. We are never too old to need the love of family.

As weird as it is to say goodbye to my teenage years, it's honestly helped me to soak in the precious moments of everyday life and treasure them even more. Every year when birthdays come around, it always serves as a reminder how quickly the days, months, and years fly by. I think that has been one difficult part of this birthday season. It's hard to say goodbye to the past, without a clear map of the future. But, I must remind myself that this is why growing up is a beautiful thing- as we live life and experience new things, we are better prepared for what the future may hold. Everything that I have experienced in my 20 years has served an important purpose- to make me into the person I am supposed to become. Yes, life is always changing and so am I... and change can be hard. Very hard. But one thing to remember is God is always constant. He will never change. No matter what number is on your birthday cake, He is always there...the same God yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is the Rock that we will always be able to cling to. Isn't that a wonderful thought? Even if we don't know what's in His plans for us in the coming year, it's important to make Him a part of our plans. Rather than worry about change, let's embrace it all- the good and the bad- and look to the Lord to see how He will guide and shape us.

Teenage years- the time has come. I must say goodbye to you now. But, you will never be forgotten. I will hold your memories in my heart forever. Twenties- I am excited for all that awaits me.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

Hanna Bewley
Hanna Bewley Jun 24, 2019
At Mississippi State University

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