This week one of my favorite blogging moms, Marketing Mommy, posted a blog listing all of the jobs she’d worked before landing where she is today, a mom working in marketing and promotions. I liked the idea, and have had some interesting jobs, so I thought I would do something similar, listing odd or interesting jobs that I have had.

16 Years Old – Trio Cafe – Worked a Trio Cafe, a small truck stop/farmer’s hang out (not the cool restaurant in Kenwood) in the small town of Denison, Iowa. Worked five, 8 hour shifts a week (2 p.m. – 10 p.m.) and made $2.50 an hour. Tips averaged $20 a shift (that’s right… for 8 hours work…..) and the average tip was in the realm of $.75. The whole resturant was comprised of 8 tables and a counter.

18 Years Old – Nuthin’ Fancy – Worked at the Nuthin’ Fancy restaurant in Roswell, New Mexico. Worked the breakfast shirt, opening the restaurant at 4:30 a.m.!!! Made really good money there, enough that I could afford to move out of my parents house and back to Cincinnati! Made some great friends, some that I still keep in touch with.

19 Years Old – Dental Assistant – Not sure how it happened but when I moved back form New Mexico I ended up working at the dental office that my mom had worked at before they moved. I worked on the side that handled braces and had a lot of responsibilities for someone of my age. The doctor would do the initial exams but I was the one changing wires or replacing broken bands. I also helped him when he put braces on patients and was the girl who made all of the retainers down in the basement. It was probably the hardest job of all. I hated having my hands in people’s mouths and smelling their bad breath for long periods of time.

21 Years Old -Pachinko, Main Strasse Village – As a “regular” customer of the bar, the offered to have me as a guest bartender one night. The night went so well that it led to a full time (2 days a week) job. Worked there all through college and for a few years afterwards (6 years total). Finally retired after having my second child (I took a leave of absence as soon as I knew I was pregnant. I didn’t want anyone comparing me to Carla from Cheers….)

22 Years Old – Hustler (the Adult Store) Long story short, a friend of mine owns a Hustler store and needed my help one evening. Ron Jeremy was coming into town and they wanted all of the staff to be able to hang out with him. I ended up working for about 4 hours, and it was very strange. The most awkward part of the whole thing was standing behind the register and watching a friend of mine and her boyfriend walk in. They had no idea I would be there and turned bright red.

22 Years Old – Banana Joe’s -A friend of mine was opening a new bar, Banana Joe’s, and was looking for bartenders to help staff the highly anticipated club. I agreed, eager to open a bar as I had never been through the experience. Boy did I make the wrong decision. It ended up being the CHEESIEST place I have ever seen. They tried to teach us choreography and wanted us to both dance on the bar as well as go into the crowds and pick out boys to dance with during a “bartender’s choice” dance. Needless to say I gave it my best but only lasted three weeks.

24 Years Old – Personal Assistant to a professional athlete – A friend of mine enlisted in the military and was looking for someone he could trust to take over for him at work. He worked for Oscar Robertson, the basketball legend, and didn’t want to turn the reigns over to just anyone. I read up on Oscar and his achievements and successfully made it through the interview process, getting offered the job. Working for him was amazing. I had the amazing opportunity to talk to a lot of famous members of the media and athletes, including Scotty Pipen!

27 Years Old – Public Relations - I was working at a local Chamber of Commerce when I first realized my love for media relations. From there I interviewed and landed a job with my current employer. I have to say it is the best job I have ever had. I’ve been there for 4 years and I can’t imagine not working there. (Please note: They do not read this blog so please do not think that I am kissing up …)How about you? What interesting or weird jobs have made you the person you are today?