On Thursday Huckdoll threw down the Meme Gauntlet asking us to reflect on the jobs we’ve held as well as talk about the jobs we wish we’d tried.
Here goes, try not to laugh, judge or gasp, lol.
Jobs I’ve Held:
16 Years Old – Trio Cafe -
Worked a Trio Cafe, a small truck stop/farmer’s hang out 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 restaurant 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 shift, opening the restaurant at 4:30 a.m.!!! Made really good money, enough that I could afford to move out of my parents house and back to Cincinnati!
19 Years Old – Dental Assistant - Not sure how it happened but when I moved back from New Mexico I ended up working at a dental office. 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 -Pachink o (bar)- As a “regular” customer of the bar, they invited me to come in and guest bartend one night. It ended up going so well that it led to a full time (2 days a week) job. I 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 – 1 day (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’d 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 a local retired basketball legend, and didn’t want to turn the reigns over to just anyone. I read up on the athlete and his achievements and successfully made it through the interview process, getting 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 Scottie Pipen!
27 Years Old – Public Relations – I was working for the local Chamber of Commerce when I discovered 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 5 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 …)
Jobs I considered:
Event Planner/Communications Specialist for Railroad Co. in Peru
Human Resources Generalist for a local hospital
Pediatrician – I was young. Later I would find that blood makes me pass out
Interior Designer in outer space. Zip it. I was 8.
