In the summer, I spend time with friends and family going to the pool, the movies, and hanging out in the AC just like everyone else, but I like to have a little spending money so I've got to get it somewhere. I usually find a job somewhere and only work there for the summer because I don't like the job or don't feel the need to go back, but I changed up my pattern as of winter break this year.
Last summer, I was looking for a job and it had been my fourth summer working and would be my fourth summer job. I was determined to find somewhere that I liked working and would want to return to and my only boundary was that I refused to work in food again. I had worked in a teeny-tiny drive-up ice cream shop, at a movie theater, and as parking for a concert venue. To me, the next logical step was retail, a job that would need me mostly for summers and holidays.
So, I took to the mall. I started with my favorite stores, obviously--because if I was going to get a discount, I wanted to use it. Most places told me they weren't hiring or were only hiring for a position that I definitely wasn't qualified for, but a few told me to apply online or handed me an application. I filled out the online applications and turned back in the paper ones and waited.
After a few days, I got a call from Rue21 at the Castleton mall to come in for an interview. I excitedly told them yes. Between then and the interview, I also got a call from Claire's in Noblesville, much closer to home, for an interview. I told them yes as well for the middle of the following week.
The day of the interview in Castleton, I was driving down 69 when my engine started acting weird. I decided that I would pull off at the 116th street exit and call my parents just to be safe. When I got off and was driving to the nearest AutoZone, my engine was revving to 3000 RPMs even though I was only going about 20 miles an hour. Come to find out that something was wrong with my transmission and I had to cal Rue21 and reschedule.
I ended up having my Claire's interview first after the car troubles and they told me they'd call me. After my other interview, I was pretty much hired on the spot, but my mom made it pretty clear that we had absolutely no idea when I would be getting a new car and I should wait on Claire's because it'd be easier on all of us if I was working closer to home.
So I waited and got hired at Claire's. I called Rue and explained my situation and the manager was super nice and understanding, something I still really appreciate.
After the whole ordeal, I can honestly say that I have never been more grateful for car troubles in my life. I think I was meant to work at Claire's, which may sound dumb, but it's the truth. I loved and still do love the job and the people that I work with. Even when I went back for winter break, I loved the new girls that'd been hired. I'm taking a week off after finals just to get myself back into the swing of things and unpack, but I can't wait to start working again next week because I miss my friends.
