My first job was at Six Flags: Great America, and don't get me wrong, I had a lot of great experiences there; it just didn't end up being the place that I needed to be. I met some of the coolest people of my life there and it was where I received my first paycheck, (what a great feeling, right?) but it was also where I would spend days sweating in the sun and nights cleaning up until 1 a.m. It just wasn't meant for me.

Eventually, I realized this, and while it was extremely hard to say goodbye to everyone there, it had to be done. You know that cheesy quote, "when one door closes, another one opens?" Well, this was the perfect example of it. I knew that with college coming up and with my personal spending habits, I needed a steady paycheck. I applied to various places, places that would just give me money, places that would just help me get by.

Then, I stumbled upon a place that my older sister used to work at, a program for people with special needs. At first, I was so iffy on it, could I do it? Would they like me? I figured as long as I wouldn't be there until 1 a.m., I should just give it a shot. So, I applied. And it was probably one of the best decisions I could have ever made. I got an interview and as nervous and unprepared as I was, I got the job.

This was extremely stressful considering I was going from serving over-priced food to strangers to working with actual people who I might actually leave an imprint on, and who would definitely leave an imprint on me. It was really hard at first, I always thought I was doing a terrible job because I probably was. But the I got into the swing of things; I started to know people instead of just meeting them and soon enough I found myself looking forward to it every day.

Sometimes it was the only thing that would get me through the school day. When I went to my first staff meeting and realized half of it was everyone complimenting others on things they did well, I knew I was exactly where I should be. When I got so overwhelmed one day that I was pushed to tears, I took five in the office and everyone kept asking me how I was doing. I'd never been more thankful to be in a place where people cared for you instead of took advantage of you.

Now don't get me wrong, I still had to deal with the occasional grumpy adult and there was still a handful of cleaning to be done (at reasonable hours thank God) but I still loved it all the same. I felt as though it had a purpose this time around like I was doing something for a reason and not just for a paycheck. I made some of my strongest connections in that program, with clients and coworkers alike. Going to work was like going to a place filled with all your best friends.

Without that place, I wouldn't have the deep love that I do now for Shrek, Christmas music, and Disney songs; what more does a person need to be happy? My point is that I was so afraid to try something different. I was so used to six flags, scooping dip n' dots for little kids and washing dishes that I didn't even think to realize that there were better experiences to be made. I was so afraid of change, but it turned out to be my biggest blessing. Great things truly do happen when you leave your comfort zone.