Читать книгу No More Mac 'n Cheese! - Lise Andreana - Страница 8

The local newspaper is delivered to my home each and every week as faithfully as the daily mail. Every week a young boy carefully places the paper between the front door and the screen. The first week of each month he arrives just before dinner, when he knows his customers will be home, to collect for the preceding month. His smile lights up the doorway, and his sincere thank-you warms my heart. I have my eye out for this future young man. In him, I see the businessman of tomorrow, who will attract record results for his employer with his attention to detail and the level of service he provides. He is eight years old!

There is no such thing as a “menial” job. Every job experience you have will build skills for your future success. Set the stage for future career success with part-time work while in high school or university. The actual work can vary. It does not matter if you stack shelves at the local grocery store, flip burgers, wash dishes, move refrigerators, paint homes, or cut lawns. Each and every one of these jobs will help you build invaluable skills that you will use in future workplaces.

There are many advantages to working while still a student, the most immediate of which is cash to pay for your hobbies, and cover the cost of books, transportation, and out-of-pocket expenses.

Other advantages include:

• Independence and cash of your own to provide you with the freedom to make financial decisions of your own choosing.

• Reducing the amount of student loans required to complete your education.

• Increased confidence. Even working at low-paying jobs will provide you with the opportunity to better understand your unique skills and the value of your contribution to the workplace.

• Learning the value of teamwork.

• Becoming familiar with workplace demands and employer expectations.

• Learning about a career before committing to it.

• Acquiring skills to help sell yourself to a prospective employer. Practice your future job hunting and interviewing skills early and often by applying for part-time work while still a student. Doing so means you will be better prepared for an important career interview. You will understand what to expect and how to conduct yourself in an interview.

• Work experience gained while a student allows you to fill your résumé with practical real life experiences and a source of character references.

The real advantage of part-time work while you are a student has nothing to do with the money you are paid, but rather the knowledge gained; the knowledge that you are capable of handling responsibility, you can be trusted, and you are accountable for your actions. Part-time jobs build character and confidence, which will be priceless when it comes to landing your dream job.

You may find the part-time work you do as a student becomes the base for your future career direction. Or, you may decide a career you were interested in is not right for you. The friends and contacts made during these years will provide a valuable resource in the future as you move to full-time employment.