4 answers
7
Questions
4 answers
Updated
Justin’s Answer
Trevaire,
I think that depends on what you are interested in. They say, "if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life." What interests you?
What I suggest to many younger people is the find someone or several people that are in jobs today that you'd like to be in some day...whether that is a professor, a coach, a CEO...then ask them for an informational interview and ask them questions about what they studied in school, college and what their first job was. Ask them how they got where they are today...the try and follow a similar path.
I think that depends on what you are interested in. They say, "if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life." What interests you?
What I suggest to many younger people is the find someone or several people that are in jobs today that you'd like to be in some day...whether that is a professor, a coach, a CEO...then ask them for an informational interview and ask them questions about what they studied in school, college and what their first job was. Ask them how they got where they are today...the try and follow a similar path.
Updated
Alisha’s Answer
I truly believe that working in any sort of service industry is a great first job. This includes: retail employee, waiter (wait staff), host at restaurant - anything that you are customer facing. My first job was at a small deli and I really learned the value of human interaction and hard work. You learn the value of independence, organizational skills, time management, teamwork, and just what it feels like to be on the other side of an interaction when ordering a meal or buying a tshirt. This will not only help you with real world skills but understand the service industries work ethic better. If you can remember how you are treated as an employee, teammate, and friend - you will understand how teamwork and kindness works in the future no matter what position you decide to go into.
Updated
Gary’s Answer
I agree with Justin - do what you love.
Remember, your first job is just that - your first. The experiences of any first job will include managing your pay check, interacting with peers, reporting to a senior manager. You will start to understand the importance of a routine and taking advantage of training and enablement opportunities.
If you have the ability to do this in an industry you love fashion, retail, high tech, sports... it will be more interrupt you and much of the learning you do will feel more natural.
You have lots of choices so take your time - do some research. These days it’s easy to look at a company online - check out the social media posts to see what others are saying. Look at an annual report and decide if the company’s values align with yours.
But most of all, make the effort to be involved - join the company volunteer day, or softball team. Go for lunch with your peers and become part of the organization.
Show up early - don’t make excuses and call in sick when you’re too tired. Use this as an experience to build a career upon and learn from every aspect of it.
Be humble - treat the job with respect and be proud of what you do. Some of my favorite team lunches these days are recalling our first jobs 20, 30 or 40 years ago. They all had some common themes, and looking back most of the people I know had fond memories of the people they met, the skills they learned and the guidance it gave them in their next career move.
Feel free to reach out to me directly if you would like to discuss further.
Remember, your first job is just that - your first. The experiences of any first job will include managing your pay check, interacting with peers, reporting to a senior manager. You will start to understand the importance of a routine and taking advantage of training and enablement opportunities.
If you have the ability to do this in an industry you love fashion, retail, high tech, sports... it will be more interrupt you and much of the learning you do will feel more natural.
You have lots of choices so take your time - do some research. These days it’s easy to look at a company online - check out the social media posts to see what others are saying. Look at an annual report and decide if the company’s values align with yours.
But most of all, make the effort to be involved - join the company volunteer day, or softball team. Go for lunch with your peers and become part of the organization.
Show up early - don’t make excuses and call in sick when you’re too tired. Use this as an experience to build a career upon and learn from every aspect of it.
Be humble - treat the job with respect and be proud of what you do. Some of my favorite team lunches these days are recalling our first jobs 20, 30 or 40 years ago. They all had some common themes, and looking back most of the people I know had fond memories of the people they met, the skills they learned and the guidance it gave them in their next career move.
Gary recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Melisa’s Answer
Great answer Alisha and I totally agree that "any sort of service industry" is a good start. I started out working as an assistant in a physical therapy office, answering phones, scheduling appointments, managing bills, etc. I also worked in clothing retail and customer service. In all three of these early jobs, I learned the most about working with different types of customers, the importance of being flexible and helping problem solve. I think it also provides a great training ground for being a good, reliable teammate and employee as well. Have a great day!