Growing up I always had a job, it was just something that was always done. If I wanted something, I wasn’t entitled to it, I needed to work for it. First off, I know a lot of people who would get offended by the title of this article alone. My purpose in this short article isn’t to make those of you who were fortunate enough to have parents to give you everything you ever wanted and needed, but to relate to others, and tell you why I’m glad I had to work for everything.

Having to work through highschool and college has taught me a lot. Sure, at first, it was really annoying having to give up the time I spent with my friends to go work, but looking back at it, I don’t regret a thing.

1: Hardwork

Having a job young, taught me what hard work was. My second job I got was at a hospital in the kitchen. It might sound deceiving, but working in a kitchen is actually a lot of work. You’re always running around, and busy. Working there taught me that, being a fast efficient worker is what employers seek, and I learned that very quick.

2: Punctuality

Being a time was also something I learned from getting a job in high school. My first job was at an after school program for kids in elementary school. I remember the first thing my boss said to me was, “ If you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late, and if you’re late you’re fired.” Something I will always remember, and make sure I’ll be to work 15 minutes early.

3: Value

Having worked throughout high school it taught me the value of money. I didn’t work because I needed the money. I wanted the little extra things like a smart phone, a car. Having those things came with monthly bills that I had to pay. It made me responsible, and I appreciated things a lot more when I saw how hard I had to work to get these things.

4: Appreciation

My grandparents had always told us that my brothers and I were some of the most appreciative kids, they’ve ever met. And if they gave us a piece of coal for christmas, we would have played with it for hours. It was just how we were raised. Getting a job, and having to pay for my own things made me appreciate things even more then that. For example, if someone bought me a meal, thanking them was never enough. I put it into my perspective and think “ for me to pay for that meal, it would have taken me at least an hour of washing dishes and running around.” Not only did I appreciate things other people bought me more, but I appreciated the things I bought for myself as well. Buying a car was a big one, I took care of my little saturn like it was a brand new cadillac of the lot. For me at the time, buying that car was a lot of money, and a lot of hours I had to work.

5: Goal setting

Because I started working young, I’ve gotten more and more ambitious about the things I want to in the future. Although working in the kitchen taught me a lot, I knew I didn’t want to be there for the rest of my life. I worked in a hospital so I got to see nurses and CNAs do there job all the time. They inspired me and I knew that I would be working with them some day. Now that I’m in college and I have two jobs that amount to almost full time, I get the comment a lot “you’re the most ambitious 19 year old I’ve ever met.” & I find that to be one of the most rewarding compliments.

Having to work through high school and now college, I don't feel like I missed out on anything. School was always a priority to my employers and myself. They knew I needed to be a kid still, and that was okay.

Now being in college, and knowing in a couple of years I’ll have to get a ‘big girl job’ and have to pay ‘REALLY big girl bills’, I’m okay with having to work for what I want. And looking back at it working through high school and college, I matured a lot quicker. And I wouldn’t change want it any other way.