by Divya

Created on: April 28, 2008

I am not a traditional person. I tend to do things a little differently from the norm. I am a risk-taker, and I try to use my creativity to back it up. In retrospect I have learned from my work experiences. I would like to share what I have learned so far and why this combination of part time jobs made me who I am and all the more saavy.

What I Have Learned So Far.

First and foremost I believe in the KISS method. Keep it short and simple. So I shall:

My first job - I was fourteen. I realized I wanted to do more than study. I was a freshman in high school. My dean announced a position interning at an interior design firm. I knew it had to be me! I passed the interview. People asked me how old I was when I ordered carpet samples. They were amazed when I answered them.

My mom bought me nice work clothes. I dressed to the nines and had established a small sense of professionalism. I learned how to make a good impression. But I did not compromise my opinion even then. When my boss asked me my opinion of how two swatches looked together I told her they clashed. "No, don't you see, plaids and florals always, always, always! I learned how to make blueprint copies on the blueprint machine, but I still don't think plaids and florals go together. Nevertheless, it was the prime of my life and I was a hopper - a job hopper, at that age!

I started stuffing envelopes for a small company after school. I would get paper cuts on my hands. But I worked hard. One day my boss showed me a trick to open the envelopes faster, and I realized it wasn't just about working hard, but also working smart.

Once I worked in a farmers market selling various fruits and vegetables around Halloween. A woman suggested to my boss he had too many scarecrows blocking the produce. The next day I noticed a few scarecrows missing. It was then I learned that the customer is always right.

In the winters my friend and I shoveled driveways. It was helpful to the community members, and good pocket money for us. We walked around with our shovels door to door, asking for work. People would make an offer and we would try to get them to raise the amount. It was there I learned negotiating.

I loved working more than going to school. Inevitably, to make a long story short, I would change schools - even there I washed tables. There was value to work, I could feel it. It kept me busy and engaged. And I learned - To pay attention to details.

In the east coast jobs are all over the place - but I would soon learn it wasn't too

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