My first paid gig was the same as most girls. I babysat. There was a lady who lived near us who was the only divorced woman in town (seriously). Most people wouldn't let their daughters babysit for this brazen hussy when she worked nights waiting tables at the bowling alley/restaurant in town. I was often there from around four in the afternoon till at least two in the morning...often later. She had three kids aged 4, 6, and 7...I made an average of $.35 an hour to watch them, cook them dinner, clean up, bathe them, and get them to bed.
After that I had a couple gigs in restaurant kitchens mostly washing dishes, making relish trays, and at the country club waiting tables. I later worked as a bartender at the same country club.
Dad set up a summer job for me in a farm toy factory which is where I learned that assembly line work in an ancient building with a foundry and a paint room was not for me. I think I had worked my way up to $2.00 an hour. I left the job before the required two months was up and got hired the same day at a local mom and pop grocery store where the five of us did everything that needed to be done. It was really good experience. I may have been up to $2.10 an hour.
That takes me through high school with the added experience of working for dad since his veterinary business was based out of the house. That gig was paid with the roof over my head and meals. I answered the phone and decided what calls were emergencies, waited on clients who came in to pick up medication or pay on their bill, and even worked as a compounding pharmacist when someone needed a medication that wasn't on the shelf.
What put money in your pocket when you were growing up?
After that I had a couple gigs in restaurant kitchens mostly washing dishes, making relish trays, and at the country club waiting tables. I later worked as a bartender at the same country club.
Dad set up a summer job for me in a farm toy factory which is where I learned that assembly line work in an ancient building with a foundry and a paint room was not for me. I think I had worked my way up to $2.00 an hour. I left the job before the required two months was up and got hired the same day at a local mom and pop grocery store where the five of us did everything that needed to be done. It was really good experience. I may have been up to $2.10 an hour.
That takes me through high school with the added experience of working for dad since his veterinary business was based out of the house. That gig was paid with the roof over my head and meals. I answered the phone and decided what calls were emergencies, waited on clients who came in to pick up medication or pay on their bill, and even worked as a compounding pharmacist when someone needed a medication that wasn't on the shelf.
What put money in your pocket when you were growing up?
“If you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room.” — Confucius
