Yesterday’s post listed the jobs I had prior to college. The variety of jobs I had helped propel my career.
During my first two years at college, I didn’t work—except for summers. I didn’t have the high school grades to make it into University of Illinois’ Engineering Program, so my first two years were focused on getting a 4.6 or better, as that was needed to transfer into Engineering. However, during the summer and after year two, I began to work.
- One summer, around age 18, I baked bagels at a bagel shop. I worked for a nun, who had recently left the convent. I’m not sure why, but I assure you she didn’t look like Sally Fields. My bother worked there too. When money was tight, she had to let one of us go. She choose to keep me. I should have quit just to support my bro.
- After my freshman year, I worked at Busy Bee-a nursery in Glenwood. I worked the fields–moving trees, shrubs, and rocks. It was back-breaking. I’m not sure how people who do this type of work for years on end are able to stay healthy. I admire them.
- The best job I ever had was with my buddy Tom Gillespie, probably the summer between junior and senior year. Tom’s dad was a carpenter and Tom and I decided we’d paint houses over the summer. We also blacktopped driveways. During June and early July we cranked. Then the work stopped because people didn’t want houses painted at end of summer. Tom and I would work hard from 7am to 4pm or later. Then we’d go out until midnight. It felt like we did this every night. One time we painted a house for an older (probably my age) single lady who was attractive. We still talk about how she would watch us as we painted.
- One summer, maybe prior to my second senior year of college, the economy was bad. I answered phones at a Telemarketer sweat shop. Horrible job. I sold credit card protection. Lasted 6 weeks.
- To finish the summer, I became a cashier at an all night gas station. I had the overnight shift, as I made more money. Crazy way to spend August but I guess it was better than telemarketing. Plus I had a cute red-headed boss who, despite being married, liked to flirt with me.
- During college, I delivered pizzas for Dominos. Wasn’t a bad job but one time I had to deliver pizzas to some girls I went to high school with. They were part of the country club that I caddied with when younger. I was embarrassed to hand them their pizzas. I don’t think they even tipped me. I refused to work during the Jan 1985 Super Bowl. Instead, I enjoyed watching Jim MacMahon, Walter Payton, Richard Dent and the Fridge destroy the New England Patriots. Dominos fired me for not working during the Super Bowl.
- I was also an Residential Advisor for two years in college.
Next up will be the many jobs I had in the first few years of my career.
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