Susan Thom

My First Job Was…



Posted: Monday, November 21, 2011

by Susan Thom

My first job came about because I wanted my own money to buy what I wanted. I was 14 years old. My sister, 2 brothers, and parents, were a lot to provide for and 8 tracks of music, or boom boxes, or clothes, boots, shoes, etc. were wants, and not needs. When I got tired of wanting, I set out to get a job. You could get your working papers at 14, and so I did.

I called a house of retreat in reply to a job offer in the paper, and was asked to come in for an interview. The building was nice, although dark and sullen, but the job was borderline masochistic! At least to a 14 year old. I only worked weekends, but I was able to make enough money to buy what I wanted, and to give my father some money as well. He ended up being my driver, and we needed to be at the retreat by 5:30 a.m.!

Dragging my feet, and trying to keep my eyes open, my job was to set up long card tables for breakfast for the guests. Plates, silverware, glasses, coffee cups, rolls, butter, sugar, salt, and pepper had to be provided for those who had come for a weekend retreat. Once breakfast was served, the other employees and myself had to clean everything up again and reset the tables for the lunch crowd. Then, we could take a break in a small room they had for us with a tv and a couple of couches. Once the visitors had eaten, it was time to clean up and set up, once again.

We could have some of the leftovers, and either stick around if we had dinner duty, or go home. It was a long day and a lot of work, but it was great to be able to get a sweater or a pair of jeans I wanted. I had a sense of independence that not too many of my friends had. Did I enjoy this particular job? No, I did not. It was simply the means to an end. I’ve always been strong, so the hard work didn’t bother me, but getting up at 5 was horrible.

Would I ever do it again? If I had to. If the position was available, and I needed the money, I would do it again. I only hope and pray I never will have to!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
First Job
This Article has been viewed 656 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)
» left by David Tanguay
 161 days 9 hours ago.
187 fans.
5:30 am whow that's early to rise Susan
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» left by Susan Thom 161 days 5 hours ago.
179 fans.
hi david,

you are right-it was early, but clothes and a phone were worth it at the time :)

thanks for reading and responding and for ordering my book (let)

my best,

sue
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» left by Marijo Phelps
 160 days 14 hours ago.
142 fans.
How fun - and that early hour. I remember needing 12 hours of sleep at that age... where did the time go? Hated babysitting jobs that lasted after midnight - that extra dime an hour sure wasn't worth it!
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» left by Susan Thom 160 days 13 hours ago.
179 fans.
ah, the things we do for the almighty dollar :)

thanks for reading and commenting marijo, and i hope all is well,

my best to you,

sue
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» left by Dianne Lehmann 160 days 5 hours ago.
136 fans.
Hi Sue.

Thank goodness none of my first jobs involved getting up at 5 a.m.!

Where I grew up, you could work at that age but they only allowed you so many hours a week and going to school counted as part of them. Babysitting was my solution. No one could tell you how many hours you could do that and you could do your homework while doing it. Perfect.

Hugs,

Dianne
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» left by Susan Thom 157 days 10 hours ago.
179 fans.
hi di,

i was driven by desire :)

i babysat, too.

my best wishes to you,

sue
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» left by Jennifer Stewart
 156 days 14 hours ago.
152 fans.
Hideous! Well done for doing it so you could be independent, but may you never ever have to do it again :)
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» left by Susan Thom 156 days 12 hours ago.
179 fans.
it's funny what we'll do for clothes and music cd's :)

thanks for reading and commenting jennifer.

i hope all is well,

my best,

sue
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