,Hey beautiful souls,
I know it has been awhile, but after dealing with some personal issues, college, and just life in general, I took a step back from blogging. However, today that all changes :)
Not too long ago, TheLadders, reached out to me to talk about my first job experience. If you haven't heard about TheLadders, I suggest you stop reading this right now, and check them out. This awesome service is the only online career resource that you will ever need. It puts you in control of your job search by providing you with the essential tools and connections. It is simple, fast and effective. What more could you need in a job search?
To learn more, check out their About Us page, and make sure to check out their career and hiring blogs, which contain numerous helpful articles!
What was my first job?
So, my first you can say, "real job," was a daycare assistant at a private daycare in my town. I worked everyday after school, and the summer before my first year at college. I absolutely adored it. I am lucky to say that my first glimpse of the real world was a pretty fantastic one.
What made me decide to apply was that at the time I was interested in possibly becoming a special education teacher. I also had always loved working with children, and I felt being a part of their education would be a rewarding experience. I can honestly say it was.
Even though my career path has changed, it is because of this job experience that I still want to work with children. The wisdom such little souls provide is astounding. Their enthusiasm for life and their desire to learn, are qualities I will never forget.
What I Learned:
1.) Smile. Always.
Children pick up on the slightest nuances. If I was in a bad mood, or frustrated, or annoyed they knew it, and it really affected their day. If I was off, they would be off too. To make them feel comfortable, and create a positive, and uplifting environment for them, I had to put my own emotions aside, and be present. By remaining positive and present I was able to keep calm under pressure, uplift their spirits, and keep their emotions in check.
2.) Go with the Flow.
When you are working with children, you cannot be rigid. Rigidity only brings about frustration and challenge. By remaining fluid, and flexible, I was able to handle situations with poise, and ease. Going with the flow also made me a better problem solver. I was able to solve more issues and handle tense situations because I was willing to view situations in multiple lights. I was open to many ways of doing things.
This mindset made me very popular among my directors. My ability to be flexible with schedule and location changes really helped me thrive. It also made it really easy for me to get positive, and thoughtful letters of recommendation for college, study abroad, and internships.
3.) Understand you "Clientele."
Now this may sound funny coming from someone who worked with children, however it is so important to understand the population you will be working with, or your "clientele." Before working at the daycare I understood children's needs, and how children function. I knew what the job entailed and what was expected of me. If I came into the job knowing very little about children, I would have really struggled. Before you jump into any job, know who your clientele are, and how to best serve them.
4.) A Thank You Goes a Long Way.
I only worked part-time as an assistant, working about 12- 14 hours a week. However, for many of my co-workers, it was their full-time job. For them, it wasn't just a way to make money, it was their career, and they put in 110% into everything they did. I made sure to let them know how much I appreciated them, and it went a long way. It is so important that you value your fellow workers, and commend them on the hard work they are doing.
5.) Mistakes are a Necessary part of Growth.
You have probably heard this a thousand times; lets make it a thousand and one. Understanding that you will make mistakes is probably the single most important lesson you will learn from any job. Mistakes are apart of life, and are necessary for growth. This is true for all aspects of life, but it is especially true when it comes to jobs
By making mistakes at work, I learned a lot about how to effectively handle them, and fix them. Making mistakes has allowed me to be humble, problem solve, and accept my faults. Mistakes have made me an overall better, and more accepting human.
So there you go. I hope that by opening up I have given you some useful advice that you can carry with you into your future endeavors. Again, don't forget to check out TheLadders. It won't disappoint. Until next time....
Peace and Light
What was your first job experience?
Did you enjoy it?
What did you learn?
I know it has been awhile, but after dealing with some personal issues, college, and just life in general, I took a step back from blogging. However, today that all changes :)
Not too long ago, TheLadders, reached out to me to talk about my first job experience. If you haven't heard about TheLadders, I suggest you stop reading this right now, and check them out. This awesome service is the only online career resource that you will ever need. It puts you in control of your job search by providing you with the essential tools and connections. It is simple, fast and effective. What more could you need in a job search?
To learn more, check out their About Us page, and make sure to check out their career and hiring blogs, which contain numerous helpful articles!
What was my first job?
So, my first you can say, "real job," was a daycare assistant at a private daycare in my town. I worked everyday after school, and the summer before my first year at college. I absolutely adored it. I am lucky to say that my first glimpse of the real world was a pretty fantastic one.
What made me decide to apply was that at the time I was interested in possibly becoming a special education teacher. I also had always loved working with children, and I felt being a part of their education would be a rewarding experience. I can honestly say it was.
Even though my career path has changed, it is because of this job experience that I still want to work with children. The wisdom such little souls provide is astounding. Their enthusiasm for life and their desire to learn, are qualities I will never forget.
What I Learned:
1.) Smile. Always.
Children pick up on the slightest nuances. If I was in a bad mood, or frustrated, or annoyed they knew it, and it really affected their day. If I was off, they would be off too. To make them feel comfortable, and create a positive, and uplifting environment for them, I had to put my own emotions aside, and be present. By remaining positive and present I was able to keep calm under pressure, uplift their spirits, and keep their emotions in check.
2.) Go with the Flow.
When you are working with children, you cannot be rigid. Rigidity only brings about frustration and challenge. By remaining fluid, and flexible, I was able to handle situations with poise, and ease. Going with the flow also made me a better problem solver. I was able to solve more issues and handle tense situations because I was willing to view situations in multiple lights. I was open to many ways of doing things.
This mindset made me very popular among my directors. My ability to be flexible with schedule and location changes really helped me thrive. It also made it really easy for me to get positive, and thoughtful letters of recommendation for college, study abroad, and internships.
3.) Understand you "Clientele."
Now this may sound funny coming from someone who worked with children, however it is so important to understand the population you will be working with, or your "clientele." Before working at the daycare I understood children's needs, and how children function. I knew what the job entailed and what was expected of me. If I came into the job knowing very little about children, I would have really struggled. Before you jump into any job, know who your clientele are, and how to best serve them.
4.) A Thank You Goes a Long Way.
I only worked part-time as an assistant, working about 12- 14 hours a week. However, for many of my co-workers, it was their full-time job. For them, it wasn't just a way to make money, it was their career, and they put in 110% into everything they did. I made sure to let them know how much I appreciated them, and it went a long way. It is so important that you value your fellow workers, and commend them on the hard work they are doing.
5.) Mistakes are a Necessary part of Growth.
You have probably heard this a thousand times; lets make it a thousand and one. Understanding that you will make mistakes is probably the single most important lesson you will learn from any job. Mistakes are apart of life, and are necessary for growth. This is true for all aspects of life, but it is especially true when it comes to jobs
By making mistakes at work, I learned a lot about how to effectively handle them, and fix them. Making mistakes has allowed me to be humble, problem solve, and accept my faults. Mistakes have made me an overall better, and more accepting human.
So there you go. I hope that by opening up I have given you some useful advice that you can carry with you into your future endeavors. Again, don't forget to check out TheLadders. It won't disappoint. Until next time....
Peace and Light
What was your first job experience?
Did you enjoy it?
What did you learn?