For the most part, I had a good time working at a warehouse this past holiday season {and no, I won’t be saying what major retailer I worked for}. I specifically wanted to find a seasonal job that did not deal with the public and that I had no experience doing before. I meet several really nice people and enjoyed their company. I wasn’t there for the money {although I did save every paycheck to go towards a long term project I have planned for 2018}.
I worked 4 days a week and an average of 28.4 hours a week over the 5 week period and was paid $13.25 an hour {which, I thought was pretty good considering it was for unskilled, temporary labor}. I was also invited to continue working for the company after the holidays. I declined.
All I wanted was a temporary job, but I LEARNED SO MUCH. Everything from “how to pack” a semi truck with boxes, fulfilling orders, using a pallet jack, to what people spend their paychecks on. {As it turns out… a lot of cigarettes, energy drinks, fast food and $800 phones}.
I was feeling pretty cooped up here in suburbia {and had been for months} and just really wanted to put myself in a different environment for a bit so a seasonal job seemed like a good idea. And it was. Until it wasn’t. 😉
The sheer amount of time being wasted by employees performing stupid/senseless tasks, walking around trying to look busy {or just standing around talking non stop for that matter} was astounding to me. The fact that supervisors continually did not redirect people {or send them home immediately when the work was done for the day} was mind boggling to me as well. And as it would turn out, proved to be the most difficult thing for me to accept.
A good example: It takes 3 people to “load” a semi truck. 1 person to put the items on the conveyer belt, and 2 people to take the items off the belt and stack the items in the truck.
On my last day working in the warehouse, there were 9 people attempting to look like they were loading {a minimal amount} of boxes onto a conveyer built. A job, that only takes one person to do. I didn’t get it. Well, that’s not true. I did get it. I understood that my definition of a good work ethic was totally different than many of the people who had temporary jobs there.
And I also knew, it didn’t matter to the higher ups. After all, this was only a temporary job, and the company was happy to hire anyone that could pass a drug test and show up on time. I don’t know why, but it made me CRAZY. It still makes me crazy just thinking about it. It made me want Dwight Schrute to walk in and take over as supervisor.
I feel like whatever occupation you chose to do in life should matter. Have some meaning. Bring you some sort of satisfaction whether it be in the form of a day’s hard work, a paycheck, the fact that you really enjoy your coworkers, your surroundings, whatever.
Is that even realistic? Have I lost my mind? Am I missing something?
But, like I said earlier, I learned so much. So I feel like taking on a seasonal job was worth it in the end.
Things I learned:
You can’t always judge a book by it’s cover. But when in doubt, go with your gut.
Moving boxes all day is hard work! Just because you can physically do something, doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Especially if you have to pop 5 ibuprofen a day to do it.
Meal planning/prep should be a necessity if you work outside of the home. Freezer meals are the bomb diggity and husbands CAN be taught how to use the oven.
Naps. Naps are huge. Take them on your days off.
I worked an average of 4 days a week and on my 3 days off I used one as a catch up day {laundry, housework/grocery shopping} the second day as a meal prep day and on the third day I wrote blog posts most of the day with a three-hour break in between for a long nap.
There were SO MANY things I wanted to say/teach/point out/offer advice on to some of my co-workers on how they could be saving money {from witnessing all the lunch/fast food bags, cigarettes, energy drinks, daily Starbucks, they were bringing in as well as when they would talk about what was on their Christmas lists/layaways} that I stopped eating in the break room because I didn’t want to seem {I don’t know what the right term is here…. ummm like I had it figured out} I just wanted to fit in. I tried a few times {but gave up} because my little {and I mean tiny} bits of advice were not received well at all.
So I don’t know.
Working outside of the home for the first time in 20+ years was interesting. It made me appreciate how lucky I am to have the opportunity to work from home, to set my own hours, to work around my family’s schedule, and having a job that is FLEXIBLE is totally a win-win.
Yet, even though the HH {pretty much} told me I should quit every single day I went work, I enjoyed getting out of the house. I just don’t think I would want to make it a full time thing again. Because I already work online, I’m guessing a part-time gig like 2-3 days a week might work better with our family dynamics {and Lucy}. I think in the future I would really LOVE working part-time at a scratch bakery, or a garden center, or volunteering at our local library. Something to get me out of the house a few days a week. Something useful. Something with purpose.
~Mavis
P.S. I’d LOVE to know what the best job you ever had was.
Lisa L says
The best job I ever had wasn’t my favorite j-o-b but my co-workers were the best. I was in administration for a local community center. The job was hard, busy, a lot of work and not super fun BUT…my weekly meetings with my boss were on the walking track, we had 3x/week climbing wall lunch dates, Thursday dodgeball at lunch and we were encouraged to play with the kids on our free time and wear silly costumes at Halloween and on random holidays. I laughed until I cried every.single.day. We all respected each other, knew we had a job to do but enjoyed all of our time together. I really miss it. Budget cuts in our area forced layoff of over half of the staff and it’s never been the same. I don’t believe I will ever have a job (or a boss) as great as that one.
Kristina says
Good colleagues are so huge for job satisfaction. My best job was working as a special collections library as a processing archivist/librarian in a deep south research library. When something comes in from an attic in S. Louisiana, let me tell you, it is GROSS, mold and bugs and worse. But 27 years after I left that job, I am still close to several of my colleagues.
MaryW says
The one I lost after a RIF last year. I loved working there, and being kicked to the curb after 22+ years in IT was painful.
Lace Faerie says
RIF? Is that Reduction In Force? Layoffs?
Marcia says
Yep
MaryW says
Yep. I still haven’t completely let go of my anger over the whole thing, but it is getting better. I imagine once I find a new job, it’ll get better.
kathy says
MaryW, I completely understand what you are saying. I was downsized from my job of 20 years as though I didn’t even matter. I, too, still feel the anger and sadness of that situation because it made me feel like I had given my all for 20 years only to be told it didn’t matter. I am getting better as time passes and I am beginning to let it go, but I do understand what you are saying. Good luck with your job search and the healing you need. Kathy
lynne says
Best Job…Summer job, 3 summers, at a Bait & Taxidermy shop. Best boss EVER! Everyone who came in was happy – they were going fishing. Learning how a Taxidermist does his job, despite the havoc it created on my allergies ;-). Learning the ins & outs of what kind of tackle works for what kind of fish, and realizing these guys (and gals, too!) spend foolish amounts of money on all this tackle, when all you really need is a Jighead & some sort of bait, or a “Mister Twister”…would always catch me a keeper on that! :-)! Wished I could’ve kept that job forever, but the ‘real world’ beckoned, and being single, on my own, and paying my own way meant finding a full time, year round job… Ah well. Now i’m a stay-at-home wife, and THIS is definitely now my favorite job! Love taking care of my man, and my “furry kids”. LynneinMN
Carolyn says
My parents owned a bakery when I was growing up. My great-great-grandpa had actually started the family business years before and my dad owned it when I was a kid. My siblings and I started working at a very young age cleaning sinks, sweeping, dumping out cakes, muffins, etc. As I got older (high school) and worked with teens my age I realized more and more what a strong work ethic my parents had taught us. I don’t know how many times we heard “use both hands!” There was no wasting time when we were at work. The sooner the work got done, the sooner we could go home. Unfortunately, we worked with plenty of employees that had the opposite work ethic. Time wasters, unmotivated; usually they didn’t last very long 🙂 It was hard work but some of my best childhood memories! I often wish we still owned the bakery so my kids could learn the same work ethic.
I totally think you should work at a bakery…at least for a while. There is nothing like fresh from the oven bread or right out of the fryer donuts! Makes my mouth water just thinking about it!
Mavis Butterfield says
I worked at a bakery in high school and LOVED it!! 🙂
Collin says
It’s not too late to restart the family business or help another in the family start it!
Logica says
Sounds like it turned out to be perfect for you. And by ‘perfect’ I mean you learned a lot about what you are looking for in a job going forward and that it was short term so you were easily able to get out of it. Good luck finding the next one…. Spring is coming soon, maybe the plants will be calling.
Kristina says
Hearing about everyone’s favorite jobs is so interesting! There are soooo many ways to make a living out there. And Mavis your job sounds like giant Tetrus, which I can see must have some appeal to the neatnick in you. The three person rule was probably OSHA-related, and the nine people loading the truck is just funny/weird. I guess when you contract to hire someone for X-hours per week, as an employer, you’ve got an ethical obligation to give them those hours? We’ve got 2 full time employees on our farm, could use 3 May-November, could use 1 the rest of the year, but they’ve got families to support, so…. I get a lot of odd jobs around the house done during the winter.
Jenell says
Enjoyed this post! Best job I ever had was working in a Mennonite bakery. I learned so much about the Amish and Mennonite communities and made some wonderful friends. Not to mention great baking tips. I am glad you are able to make the choice to work or stay at home. But I am glad your home to be able to blog more so I am occupied at my boring job! So glad to be able to read your blog everyday. its the highlight of my day:)
Laura T. says
The best job I ever had was working at a humane society taking care of the animals there. The downside was that it was a volunteer job. I worked as a medical assistant 4 days a week. I had Fridays off so I would go work at the shelter on Fridays. My first job in high school was working at McDonalds. I remember them teaching us this…If you’ve got time to lean, you’ve got time to clean! There’s always something that you can be doing. That was about 35 years ago & I can still remember it!
Kim says
I’ve considered taking a job as a crossing guard for the school district or maybe working part time or volunteering at the local animal shelter. I saw they had volunteers come in over the Christmas break to feed, walk, and play with the dogs. I would have loved that. Some libraries around here will take part time workers but that usually means at least 20 hrs a week. You spend your time shelving and sorting the books. Pretty peaceful I think.
Nadia says
Be mindful if you have allergies, you also do a lot of dusting of those stacks. Might not be as peaceful if you are sneezing and nursing a runny nose. Just a heads up.
Lilypad says
The library has always been my favorite place and when I was little, I thought I wanted to work there, or in a bookstore. When my son was in kindergarten, I volunteered at his school library. I discovered the neat freak in me could not stand to see books put in the wrong place or left lying around. Or worse—when I’d just re-shelved a cart full of books, there were so many others pulled out of place that had to go back. It felt like herding cats. Not fun. I was so disappointed, because I love books and kids and thought it would be paradise. As for working in a bookstore, the older I get the more of an extreme introvert I become, so dealing with the public would drive me insane. I wish someone would pay me to sit in a bookshelf-lined room in a comfy chair with a kitty and a cup of tea by my side, so I could sit there and read all day! 😉
Andrea says
Best job ever for me was farm work. Yes, it was work, but right now I have a desk job. I would love to get out and stretch my legs. I feel more exhausted and sore from working at a desk than doing the farm work. I totally agree about what you saw of people’s work ethic. It is everywhere even in jobs that are not temporary. I see it everyday at work. It drives me nuts, but I work mostly by myself and I am glad for that. The biggest problem I see is that people watch the ones that are slacking and not getting into trouble and in turn they start slacking too. I’ve seen people start working here all excited to work and when they finish wanting to know what else they can do. After a couple of months, that stops and they do the bare minimum they can do. It is very said that the supervisors let them get away with it.
Carole says
It took me YEARS to find my best job. You have to figure out what you like, what your good at and then get paid for it Sometimes it just happens. It did to me. HUGE gamble for me, I moved clear across the country to do something I had never done in my life. LOVED every minute of it. Couldn’t leave on time, just loved what I was doing and couldn’t get enough. Great people for the most part, learned an enormous amount of stuff about which I had no idea. Was really good at what I did mainly because I loved the work. Its out there if you really want it and are willing to go where that job is. I have since left, moved back across the country again. No regrets, it was great.
Susan says
I’m not surprised that your tiny suggestions were not well-received. It’s them and NOT you. Years ago, my husband worked at the professional development center of a local school district. I sent lunches from home with him and his co-workers could not stop commenting about his food. I even received a call from one of them informing me that I was setting a bad example and that their husbands would start demanding that they do the same for them. I first told her it was none of her business and I then asked exactly *how* their husbands were going to find out about my husband’s meals if *they* didn’t tell them…
Some people do not like to see others put forth the effort that they can’t muster.
Cheri says
I’ve worked a lot of different jobs, none of which I’ve loved, but the one I wish I could go back to is the largest Barnes & Noble in Minnesota as a bookseller. It was so big that it had both a full-size music department AND a used book section (very unusual for that chain) AND a large cafe. I liked it because it drew such an interesting clientele and was busy in the best sort of way. It was/is situated in a college-heavy area between downtown and the suburbs, so it drew a lot of interesting people and lots of intellectual buzz. It could be a boring job at times, but I wish I could return to it. No other Barnes & Noble that I’ve seen or worked for was/is like it.
Alice says
Sounds like your job was with unskilled uneducated lower level workers. That explains the expensive Christmas gifts and cigarettes and fast food and star bucks. These people have accepted that they are poor, will be poor for the rest of their lives so they spice up life with these things you thought were time and money wasters.
these people do not travel, do not live in the expensive suburbs and do not send their kids to expensive private colleges. Why on earth would you take a job like that and try to fit in is a good question, temporary or otherwise.
The reason these supervisors seemed so “clueless” to you is because unlike you these people worked for money and supervisors understood that and wanted as many people to make as much $$$ as they could because supervisors themselves were from these “working poor” and because it was allowed.
Most likely your husband has experienced, done and witnessed a whole lot of time wasting environment in any corporation that he worked at.. because this is the reality of life. With computers taking over there is simply not enough actual work for all the finance, accounting, attorney, engineering people that colleges produce every year. Its a job of a corporation to not just make a business efficient but to provide jobs for people. so that these people can support their families and so that their spouses have a luxury of staying at home for 20 years and then getting one little tiny job and get surprised that everyone is so inefficient.
Cheri says
Alice, I think you are right but seriously, WAY unnecessarily harsh. I think your post was deleted, because I can’t find it, and no wonder.
Nadia says
Wow, I felt the rebuke too. Why not just unsuscribe if she doesn’t agree with Mavis or doesn’t like Mavis’ thoughts and opinions? Corporations exist first and foremost to make a profit, providing jobs is a dividend. If a corporation wanted, as their primary goal of existing, to provide jobs they would be a 501c3 non-profit outfit. And if they truly wanted to maximize their effectiveness in providing jobs for citizens, they would run the organization as effectively as possible to be able to plow back as much financial gain as possible into the venture. Sounded like she was applauding poor work ethics. Sorry to rant, but as a small business owner, I can’t allow poor work ethics, or pretty soon they would have no job and I would have no business. Ok, rant over. Thanks for pointing out her unnecessary harshness. In fairness, I don’t know what kind of rotten day or season she has been experiencing, so I’ll just hope like is kinder to her soon.
Lisa Millar says
Exactly on all counts. Businesses do not run to provide others with a lifestyle. They run to make a profit – and if done well… better pay and more employees.
I had direct contact with my employees, so had my eye on everything – but if I had a supervisor that let money slip through my fingers because they allowed sloppy work ethics – I’d be sorting that out quick smart!
Mary Ann says
It wasn’t deleted, but it should be. Can you say BITTER?! Wow. Just wow.
Sue says
Alice, I think you are just cranky.
mable says
I agree, Sue. Her comments say more about her than Mavis.
Maxine says
My Dad was blue collar, take any job sometimes. No matter how hard I tried to get him to quit smoking he wouldn’t. He could never afford much but cigarettes were his luxury item. A way not to feel so poor. He was a hard worker. Different generation. You may have seen a lot of “looking busy” so the workers could keep the jobs longer. If management thought/cared about the work being done faster maybe they’d only want fewer people and less hours, but if management pushed the staff more turnover and time spent hiring. I don’t know. Even making six figures I’ve had to “look busy”, and the past few years I’ve seen management play a lot of HR games that could be considered ageism or sexist, or laying off great people to hire cheaper workers or kids out of college. The best advice I could give coworkers was to keep the resume current and look out for themselves. I’ve been laid off more than I care too, even when working 50-60 hr weeks every week and 80 hours during tax season. The really young workers want to avoid the pitfalls and will usually listen and seek out advice. Older ones are so scarred they just accept bad treatment and others just think it makes you sound high and mighty. It’s a tough needle to thread and it’s great you wanted to help, but the information is there when they’re ready. What’s the saying, when the student is ready the teacher will appear? Stay thoughtful and caring and keep blogging. Maybe someday they’ll find you again and be ready for your wisdom.
Gayle says
I would agree and add that in 40+ years of health care employment I’ve found that there is always a group of workers both low end and high end. ( money and education) that either over or under perform.
I always thought my housekeeping and life style including what we cook and eat was pretty average until I worked in home health. I quickly found out that fast food or bad food choices, smoking and drinking things like pop are the norm. A lot of the illnesss we deal with are the result of these choices over years.
Honestly Mavis this is what makes your blog so popular and refreshing. We, your subscribers, are interested in healthy living , we like gardening
and eating clean. I for one love the idea of urban homesteading. Enemy though my husband will not allow a chicken or two! ( he’s discovered the pleasure of strawberries or corn on the cob outside out door however!)
It’s the way of the world now. We do the best we can and go home to our corner of heaven.
Lisa Millar says
Ouch – no, really… Ouch!! Lot of assumptions and judgments there, not to mention that mean little dig at Mavis at the end. Not cool.
I admire people for getting out of their comfort zones and everyday lives and trying something different. How else are we meant to really learn about the world and people around us?
“Luxury of staying at home” ?? Have you missed how hard Mavis actually works to benefit her family? And her readers? Clearly you have.
I ran a business for years and the best way to keep people employed was to keep them efficient so we made enough money to pay them decent wages with continual employment. Would have been monumentally foolish to let people swan about wasting time and (my) money doing ‘busy-work’
Nadia says
Amen! What you said! Every word. Thank you.
Lisa Millar says
🙂
HeatherS says
Wow Alice, maybe it’s time for you to eat a leftover Christmas cookie and have a nice relaxing cup of tea!
Dana says
Awwww Alice. Sounds like most of what Mavis said really hit home with you. Triggered much? To begin with the ‘working poor’ are as vast and varied as the middle class and anyone in that category would likely appreciate your not stereotyping them as smoking, boozing, fast food binging, illiterates.
Plenty of the ‘working poor’ do manage to get their kids, and sometimes themselves, into expensive private colleges as well.
Next time you have a bunch of rebukedul sentences to string together, take an hour to cool off. Then get yourself a cup of tea or coffee. Then go fix your own life and let others worry about theirs.
Tammy says
My favorite job ever was working part time as a church secretary for my grandparent’s church. The pastor (boss) was great, the people in the church likewise. It was a very pleasant job. I only left because I got married and moved out of the area.
I had several jobs I liked initially but then they got to be a bad situation with nasty people I was working with or for. An office full of women, for instance. No one got along, so it wasn’t me that was the issue.
I totally prefer to work when I’m at work! There have been some jobs I had that got boring because they wanted someone at the phones but didn’t give enough work to keep me busy. So I knitted or read. 🙂
Now I’m a stay-at-home mom. I do enjoy it! It can be very challenging some days! But it is rewarding.
I hope you find a job you like. I totally wish that during my working days I’d veered away from office jobs and done something that aligned with my interests more (like a yarn shop, or the library).
MM1970 says
Hm. I would say that the best jobs I’ve ever had are the one I have now but about 5-6 years ago, and the one I had before that.
I’m an engineer. My first job in manufacturing was great, except my pay sucked and we went out of business. But I met really great people there (still friends with some of them) and i learned a LOT.
Next job was more research. It was very hands on, and I got to do everything from design, writing database, physically handling chemicals and “building” the resistors, testing them, etc. I ran a lot of experiments and I was BUSY. (It took about a month before my body got used to being on my feet all day). But the stress there was the equipment used to build the devices was shared, and every day you had to sign up for equipment, competing with everyone else. And this included having to sign up for equipment on Saturday night that you were going to use on Tuesday. That sucked.
At the company I am at now, it was both. Research and manufacturing and we had our OWN equipment. So I’ve done a lot of developing new procedures and processes, setting up new equipment. I ran a group of about 6 people who worked around the clock. I interviewed, hired, and trained new engineers. I had two GREAT bosses who taught me a lot, and were fair.
But alas, we don’t manufacture anymore (all went off shore). I’m still here, but after freezing raises (but hiring in new people at market rate), my pay is about 80% of what it should be. I have a new boss who is also great, but the job is kind of boring. It’s also stressful at the same time, because of the layoffs. We now have “too many chiefs, not enough Indians”, so lots of people to tell me what to do. (All 6 of my engineers got laid off over the years). I can’t possibly get everything done, and I don’t work with my hands anymore, just on a computer.
I guess I’m lucky to have a job and insurance, so I just work and save my pennies. Luckily most engineers are pretty frugal. So yeah, I’m one of the cheapskates, but there are occasional opportunities to give helpful tips. Like when I eat my lunch in the lunchroom. Several years ago I was teased about never going out. I pointed out that I calculated the amount of money saved by packing my lunch and hubby’s lunch every day. It’s a new car every 5 years (granted, a compact).
Lace Faerie says
My best job? You are going to think this corny, but my best job was raising our kids!
At one time I had three kids under the age of five. I chose full time parenting and made sure I went about it intentionally. I partook of early childhood development and education courses, just as continuing education is required in many occupations.
It was a decade and a half of looooong days and very short years. I had 15 years of full time homemaking before gradually returning to the workforce. I volunteered in my children’s classrooms, was a volunteer board member in our local youth sports leagues with the responsibilities of equipment and uniforms, and ran the concession stand with very little help from the players’ parents.
Then I spent a decade climbing the corporate ladder till health issues compounded by a stressful career forced me into early retirement. Again, I am back at what I consider my best calling, hearth and home. I am very aware of what a blessing it is to have this option! And again, I do it with intention.
Jim says
After working 30 years in the Traffic Engineerinng division of a municipality , I began working as an assistant in a veterinary practice. We treated all kinds of small and large animals. I learned something new every day and found the work challenging and rewarding. We had 5 to 7 doctors and a large support staff, many different personalities, but I enjoyed them all. Slackers didn’t last long because the pace was brisk and no one tolerated goofing off, but we had lots of fun!
Regenia Lear says
I “left the corporate world” over 5 years ago, to go home and live off of our land. We farm, growing fruits and veggies, along with having LOTS of chickens and ducks. I have a High Tunnel and we have blueberry plants ordered for planting next Spring. To supplement my income, I drive for local Amish, traveling throughout the US and Canada. I’ve met wonderful people, seen the beauty of our country, (a trip in 2014 was for 18 days, traveling out west to 21 states), stayed in beautiful B&B’s, delicious food and lots of memories. The open road is my office window…and I Love It!! Even a hard, challenging day on the farm, (and we do have those!), “is better than working under the corporate thumb.”
Teri Dyer says
I worked a grant funded job doing flood recovery. It was a tough job emotionally hearing hundreds of peoples stories of the flood, losing their homes, belongings, pets and more. It was incredibly rewarding to coordinate grants, donations and volunteers to help flood survivors get back on their feet.
Dena McDonald Harris says
I love my job I currently have. I’m an ophthalmic photographer. It’s my career. That being said, I have to work . I am the main bread winner in the family. There are times I would love to say to heck(another word,actually) with this and quit and do what I have a passion for which is baking. That is not doable. So I have to say, I wouldn’t receive the advice of a I just work four days a week for a few weeks newbie very well either. My job is demanding and there are evenings I just want food placed in front of me after a long day and having to fight traffic and the weather to get home. Even if it’s a fast food meal. Jobs can be exuasting, mentally and physically. I know you have only good intensions and want to be helpful and friendly. But what you encountered during your work day can be common place. I understand that it can be frustrating to someone that hasn’t been out into the mainstream work force. Just count yourself lucky that you are able to use your seasonal job as research as others have that job to pay for a roof over their heads. Their questionable work ethic may be because they were not raised knowing what a proper one was.
Thanks for listening to my side of things. I always enjoy your blog.
Dena
Sandy F says
I was able to retire early at 54 from my career job-and do what I loved,part time. I work ( very part time) at a wonderful bakery with the most talented young inspirational “kids”. The owner is a CIA graduate, a Mom of 4, and I have learned so much from them all.
I get to assist in baking classes, work FOH ( front of the house), BOH (back of the house) and be part of the creative process. I could care less if I get paid.
I tell you-it is sometimes exhausting. But I have a crazy work ethic. My ethic is to treat it as it was my own business. And I have had the honor to mentor some of the “kids”.
I am the old gal on the line, but can kick it like the kids, and I think they see how important relationships with customers are. Quality, consistency and the customer is always right. And-did I mention I get to taste the outrageous baked goods?
So-if you are ever in Southern CA, reach out, and we will put you to work anytime. Good work this and bakeries go handing hand…
k moleta says
In my sixties I decided to work at the school close to my home.I worked in the kitchen in the dishroom washing dishes.The work was hard but I actually liked some of my coworkers.The shocking part of the job was how much time was wasted gossiping and just lollygagging.The manager was always telling everyone to work together and help each other,but that never happened because of all the backstabbing and infighting.
Cass says
My favorite job is always the one I am currently working. I have had the good luck to be in a relationship that allowed me to “job hop”. As soon as I got bored (and I did get bored after a few years) I would move on to the next job since my health insurance was via my husband.
I have done a LOT of jobs ; retail, daycare, office work and now Home Health aide.
What I find is that the generation that is now entering the job market has NO CLUE how to work. They do the least they can to collect the paycheck then pull out their phone and tweet/post how BORING their job is. LOL
Kelly says
Cass, respectfully – there’s no need to fuel stereotypes. I work with students who are incredibly driven to work for a better world. This whole “millennials are lazy” trope is an easy punchline that just isn’t true.
Sue R. says
I’ve been able to work from home for years doing proofreading…love getting paid to read (and in my pajamas if I want to).
MArgery says
Well my current job is in a school lunch room 5 hours of hard work but I have summers off, get to work with a great group of kids and adults, and have off when my kids have off. I do try to grab a nap when I can, and freezer meals are the way to go.
But the job I left in NY would have been the perfect job for you, 3 hours a day, and I got to help seniors plant and harvest and use their small garden, gave classes on any topic they wanted to learn more about ( they gave the idea I did the research and then gave a class) , game up with rec ideas they loved trivia games, taught them how to use a computer. Even gave a classes on how to Facebook, How to video chat and so on.
In turn they taught me how to tie a quilt, and the manage all the different personalities, because the senior center was a cliciy has a high school lunchroom.
My official job was with Meals on Wheels, but because we were out of a senior center I also did a lot of work with the seniors at the center.
My only advice is if you want to help at a senior center, meet with the staff and come with a list of ideas that you would love to share, and ask them what they need help with. I see many skills that you have to share, computer skills, crafting skills, gardening, etc.
tia in boise says
Mavis–Did your co-workers know that you write a “frugal blog”? Just seems silly to me to not want to learn how to save money. I agree with *some* of what Alice has to say–there is a certain mindset with…trying to figure out how to say this without sounding judgmental…people in poverty. (As a teacher at a school with 50%+ low-income, I read an interesting book as part of a school-wide book club: A Framework of Understanding Poverty by Ruby Payne—incredibly interesting and eye-opening!)
You didn’t ask–but my worst job was as a maid in a not-tell motel in the seedy area of town (right after i graduated from college)–i knew someone who knew the owner and it was an easy-to-get job. ick! did it for a summer.
I have enjoyed most of my jobs. I don’t know that I’ve had a favorite/best.
As a high school senior, I was a hostess at a pancake restaurant. People moved away and got other jobs and soon I was “promoted” (don’t think i got paid extra) to assistant night-time manager. I put all the cash in the safe and locked the place up–just 17-year-old me and the 16 year-old dishwasher!!! (That was crazy, but I appreciated being given the responsibility and trust!)
During college I got to work at a clothing store where I had always wanted to work–clothes and discounts! (didn’t work off commission, but our sales were tracked!)
I loved, loved, loved working at a movie theater and also handmade ice cream shop (had BOTH jobs because i applied for both and got both and just went with it) one summer. Got to see free movies and saw everyone who came downtown to the ice cream shop.
What I love most about my adult job/career (teaching 6th grade) is the loving, caring, friendly, compassionate staff we have at our school–we are all so close and care about each other. It makes going to work fun! (It is an exhausting and often frustrating job, but my co-workers–friends–are like family!)
Jen says
My favorite job was scoring standardized tests. I scored the written portions, and there were so many amusing ones! Plus I was really good at it and liked my coworkers. I miss that job so, so much, but I moved away and that opportunity doesn’t exist around here 🙁
Shari says
My favorite part time job was as a program assistant with the county extension office. You would love that, if your area has an extension office. My main duties involved the 4-H program but our office also had a Home Economist and an Agriculture Agent, both of whom published a monthly column in the local paper. We all worked pretty hard as the county required an annual report showing our progress in educating the public.
I also worked as a sub for the post office for a while. It paid very well but Saturday’s were required. Hubby couldn’t take it, lol. Seriously though, I couldn’t have done it for more than a couple of years. It was HARD work. Trust me, successful mail carriers are not lazy.
Pamela says
I used to love my job (the current one) but now I can’t stand it. the problem is where I live there is extremely high unemployment. I don’t know what to do actually. I’ve been there forever but I can’t see myself there much longer.
mable says
Hardest jobs I ever had: being a maid and being a waitress. I eventually went to graduate school and have been blessed with not only a very good income from a job I adore but a long term marriage to someone who earns a very good salary, too. I have never forgotten those first jobs, though, and I never leave a hotel without leaving behind a written thank you and a large tip. I also tip well at restaurants, especially those hole in the wall places that my husband loves to go for breakfast but the customers probably cannot afford to tip too much.
Lisa Millar says
I really enjoyed reading about your experiences with your seasonal job. I ran my own business for years, and its mind boggling to me to let staff wander about trying to ‘look’ busy. That’s money eroding from your pockets – and if a business isn’t as profitable as it could be, less opportunities to keep people employed!
I have had a wide variety of jobs over the years – but probably the stand out one was teaching English in Japan.
I loved it. Travel with money in your pocket to explore a whole new country! I loved meeting new people & the challenge of teaching people of ages ranging from two years old up to eighty!!
It opened a lot more doors in my travelling world, so it definitely sits at the top of the favourite jobs list!
kim says
Your experience is why I am self employed. I cannot stand to waste time. I mean I can waste time when I want to but to do it deliberately and try to look busy is just too painful. I also have a tendency to give unwanted advice. That makes me an outsider. Waste is waste and when people complain about it, that drives me crazy. I should be more tolerant and I try. Many people are addicted to substances that are expensive. I have compassion for them. But dang it I just like to work.
Angela says
Long, long time blog reader, first time commenting 🙂
I think it is awesome that you tried out a new job seasonally. What a great way to “expand your horizons” so to speak. The best job(s) I have ever had are working with children. I have been an elementary school aide, certified teacher, and parks and rec activity leader. That is where my passion lies and I honestly think everyone should give it a try. It is the most rewarding way to make a difference in someone else’s life and it doesn’t usually even feel like a job! Kids are so fun!
Thank you for all your hard work on this blog , it has made a huge impression on my life and how I help (along with my husband) run our household.
-Angela
Kari says
My favorite job was working in the kitchen of a nursing home. I got paid next to nothing, but I loved my co-workers, learned valuable skills, and I got to interact with the residents (without having to wipe behinds.). It is amazing how much older people have to offer. I felt like my life was enriched by listening to their stories, holding their hands, and sharing a friendly smile. Because it was a final home for many, the inevitable did happen. That was the hardest part. I felt blessed to be a part of their final days, however. Although I have had jobs since that paid much better with better hours and benefits, my nursing home days were by far the best!
Tracie H says
My favorite all time job was in high school and I worked for our public library. I shelved books the entire time I was there and I loved it! It was so soothing, to be in the stacks with all of the lovely, lovely books! I miss it. You wouldn’t believe how many people can’t read the Dewey decimal system.
Another Lisa says
I volunteer at a local natural foods co-op and love it. Gets me out of the house but I’m around people (both co-workers and customers) who have the same loves and visions as I have. But there’s enough diversity to keep things interesting, it’s like people-watching as an extreme sport! I had no idea how fulfilling being with all sorts of people would be. I don’t get paid but get a nice discount off food. And get tons of appreciation (missing at home as a mom of many, lol), laughs, support and always, always leave with a smile.
Aggie from Ohio says
Mavis, thank you for sharing your ideas and experiences of your seasonal job. Also really interesting to read all the comments of other’s work experiences. No matter what the job is, there will always be workers and slackers. I believe God keeps score so I try to work to please God not man. I’ve been blessed with a good work ethic learned from my parents and others. I’ve found that if I keep busy doing my job, then the time goes by so much faster. You are a ” rare gem” in this modern world of selfish and insecure people who try to compete with ” the Jones”. Too many people just ” live for today” without any regard of tomorrow. Thank you for being so real and honest about your thoughts and ideas! We need more good life lessons like you share. Thank you again and God bless you and your family!
N
Candice says
The past five years I took a seasonal job working at a warehouse packing Easter baskets. It was perfect because I was doing something fun working with four or five other ‘Easter Bunnies’ for five or six weeks in February/March. By the time we finished the baskets it was spring and time to start planning the garden and starting seeds indoors. So I didn’t have to stare out the windows at the snow/ice and gray skies because the part of the warehouse we worked had no window. Plus, my husband drove me and picked me up every day so I didn’t have to fret about the drive or scraping windows.
Heather says
I like the idea of a seasonal, temporary job. I don’t like the idea of physically moving boxes all day since I don’t think I could physically do it right now.
I left a full-time corporate job 5 years ago (I still can’t believe it has been that long). My plan was to take off the summer, but then life got in the way. After working full-time, since leaving college, Right now I am a 4-H sewing leader and I help make charity quilts besides home projects, etc. I am not looking for a full-time position again, but I would like a part-time position that challenges me.
Gail says
My favorite job was working as a church librarian because I loved helping people connect with books to meet their needs.
Like you, it makes me crazy to see people waste time and do their work with mediocrity. One day while I was working at the church library, the (paid) cleaning crew was working in the library. A young man was like a whirlwind, working quickly and doing his job with excellence. Two older women leaned on their brooms and watched him, snickering. One woman said loudly enough for him to hear, “He’s got a lot to learn.” I thought he’ll probably move up in the company because he’s got the right attitude.
I worked part time for a bank customer service center a few years ago. Can you believe they spent two whole days training us on integrity? They taught things like: arrive on time, don’t leave early, don’t take more than fifteen minutes for a break, etc. etc. These are things I learned in grammar school in the 1950’s. I have to shake my head over the lack of integrity in the work place and of many in society today.
I’m retired, and like you, I’m glad to be away from the workplace. I’m hopeful that our new president will Make America Great Again…the way I remember it.
AlysonRR says
I worked as a research scientist for years, then quit to take care of our children, one of whom has special needs. I enjoyed homeschooling and helped form several support groups and co-ops. Since we moved to a more rural area, and the children went to school, I haven’t been able to work in either of my specialties…
I’ve taken a few seasonal jobs since then. I think my favorite was perhaps working as a supervisor for the census. I had to train my team of 22 enumerators, supervise their work, go out in the field when they needed assistance. It was challenging but the pay was not too bad and a mileage allowance. And my work was done in 7 months, so I socked it away, then returned to the relative calm of my home. I was lucky that my parents could provide after-school care.
vb says
Thank you, Mavis, for all the time and detail that goes into your blog. I have learned so much! I hope to set goals this year and actually follow through. Your blog is very practical, fun and inspirational at the same time. I love it!