I remember having to beg my parents to let me have a Saturday job when I was 16. Reluctantly, after much persuasion, they gave in and allowed me to have my first part-time job when I was 17 years old and still in sixth form. I worked as a silver service waitress at Old Trafford football stadium (the best stadium in the world I might add) and I was so proud to be a working girl. The night before match day I would spend the evening meticulously ironing my uniform (white shirt and black skirt) and carefully hang it in my wardrobe ready for the next day. The money I was making wasn\u2019t a lot but that wasn\u2019t the point: I was earning and it filled me with a sense of achievement. I got so excited when it came to payday and remember saving my first few weeks\u2019 wages to buy a pair of Spice Girls Boots (they were the \u2018in\u2019 thing at that time). I was so pleased when I could actually afford to treat people with my own hard earned money (as opposed to the money given to me by my parents).<\/p>\n
Throughout my career I have had many jobs: sales assistant, perfume representative, secondary school laboratory technician, personal assistant, administrator and residential tutor, to name but a few. I have taken pride in each and every one of my jobs- I don\u2019t consider any one to be better than the other. They have all taught me certain life skills that I have taken with me through my career. For example, I learnt presentation and communication skills when I was a perfume counter girl. Whilst I was a residential tutor I learnt about the importance of empathy, teamwork and patience (this was tested several times when my tutees would wake me up at 3am by setting off a fire alarm or by engaging in some type of drunken stupor).<\/p>\n
It amazes me when I speak to newly graduated (or about to graduate) students about their career expectations. There seems to be a sense of despising small beginnings as many expect to be in managerial positions (or in that salary bracket) immediately after graduation. However, starting from the top only happens in a minority of cases and, actually, I am glad that this is the exception rather than the rule.<\/p>\n
There is so much more to be learnt by starting from the bottom and working your way to the top. The skills I use in dealing with professionals and students in the classroom I developed working on the shop floor of a busy Central London department store.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a shame that in Ghana we don\u2019t have a formalized system of having part-time or weekend jobs that offer exposure to the workplace environment. However, life is what you make it and, if you truly want to develop work skills (as well as character) nothing stops you from offering your services to relatives, family friends etc. The point is not about the money (even though extra cash does come in handy) but it\u2019s about the invaluable experience and work ethic that is harnessed. Early exposure to the working environment can help you adopt useful habits (e.g. time keeping, being organized, being responsible etc.) that stand you in good stead for later on in life.<\/p>\n
I find the most inspiring people are the ones that have worked their way up and are able to relate to people on any and every level. This type of character doesn\u2019t develop overnight, or by accident, but through a conscious effort to be a well rounded, deeply grounded individual. My question is: are you on that path?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
By: Jemima Nunoo\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I remember having to beg my parents to let me have a Saturday job when I was 16. Reluctantly, after much persuasion, they gave in and allowed me to have my first part-time job when I was 17 years old and still in sixth form. I worked as a silver service waitress at Old Trafford […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":8093,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[8],"yoast_head":"\n