I have worked at an ice cream shop for a little over two years now, with the exception of nine months when I lived in Denver for school. This job has definitely been one of my greatest decisions, with incredible outcomes. Through my journey in the workplace I have grown as an individual in so many ways. This development can apply to any job, but mine happens to involve ice cream.
When I began working at eCreamery, I was the youngest employee. As my manager left and a new one came in, new people started to pour in and I was no longer the youngest one. When I first began, I was nervous and intimidated by all the older people. I wanted to make a good impression and work as hard as I could so I wouldn’t be seen as the new baby. But soon enough, I wasn’t the new person anymore.
With my experience of being the new person, I learned to be patient with new employees, just like my fellow employees were patient with me when I started. I learned a lot when I was the youngest and the newest. In the past two years of my experience and employment I have grown in the areas of patience, leadership, integrity, teamwork, perseverance and customer service. I have no doubt that this job has made me a better person. A person needs these qualities, and I think that having a “first job” can build and strengthen these qualities.
Working when you’re young is vital to a person’s growth. When you work you develop skills that will be a part of you for the rest of your life. You learn how to respect others, gain a work ethic, save money, and meet people you will know for the rest of your life. Most of the time, you can’t learn these skills in a classroom. They have to be acquired through experience.
Working provides many opportunities to meet some of the most interesting and maybe even some of the best people you will ever know. I’ve had the privilege of working with so many great people over these years. My life has been improved and I have become a better person because of these people. Your coworkers can be some of your best friends, or your greatest enemies. I’m lucky to be surrounded by friends.
It’s not just the people you work with, but the customers who come in. There will always be good days and bad days with customers. Sometimes there is one person who is having a bad day, and there is nothing you can do except show kindness and patience toward them. Everyone, no matter what mood they are in, deserves respect and kindness.
I had my first real job when I was 13 years old. I worked at a church nursery, taking care of young children. I had this job for six years. I’ve had a strong work ethic since I was young, and I encourage you to do the same. Having a job, even if it is just babysitting, dog walking or lawn mowing, will teach you qualities and skills that will be essential to your college life, and your future career. You will only grow from here. Having a job will help you in ways you can’t even imagine.
Two years later, excluding the former manager and one other employee, I have been there the longest. I want to be a role model and leader that the new employees can look up to and learn from. I want to help others build, develop and strengthen qualities and skills that you can get from the workplace, and especially eCreamery. I want them to come out on top with the integrity, leadership and perseverance they need for their future.Your first job will be one of your most important jobs. There will most likely be many, and you will learn from all of them, but one of the most important is your first. Reflect back on your first job, and think about where you began and where you ended and all the development in between. From your first day to your last, there are lessons learned, characteristics built and knowledge attained. Go show the world what you've learned and who you have become. Your first job is your foundation, from there you can only grow.
