Throughout high school, I worked as a server at a retirement home. I would clock in for two hours, serve the residents, clean the dining room and prepare it for the next day. Although my job was by no means difficult, having it not only allowed me to be (somewhat) independent and earn my own cash, but it laid the foundation for hard work.

What amazed me in my two years working with students my own age was how many of them lacked a good work ethic. We cycled through numerous employees--some lasted two weeks and others two years. It honestly boggled my mind that some people just didn't understand the concept of completing unpleasant tasks, following authority and all around taking accountability for themselves. I knew my high school, $7.75 paying job would be temporary, but that didn't stop me from doing everything I needed to the best of my ability. Were there times I wanted to quit? Yes. Were there times residents got on my last nerve? Hell yes. But regardless, I sucked it up and did what I was supposed to.

Eventually, I began training our new hires and there were so many times I straight up felt ignored when explaining the job or teaching someone to properly do something. I would have to repeat myself countless times and ask for the same task to be done shift after shift. No one wanted to go the extra mile or cared about helping their fellow employees--all they were concerned about was themselves. We had around four servers per shift and there were far too many times we were short one or two people because they had called in 30 minutes before the shift to say they couldn't make it. I totally understand that things happen that are sometimes out of your control, but when that is happening multiple times a week, there's a bigger problem.

Everyone has "lazy days" or times that work is the last thing on their mind, but being able to persevere through that will go a long way in life. In a full time career, you can't call your boss every other day saying you can't come in. Not only does it reflect poorly on you, but it screws over everyone else too and makes it difficult for them to get their part done.