Topic # 3 – Prompted November 25, 2008: What industry ushered you into the workforce? Select the field where you made your first paycheck: retail, food service, office work, sales, sandwich-board wearing, landscaping, childcare, and other. Describe your first work experience. How long did you last? How much did you make?
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My first summer job was right out of high school. It was Great America in Santa Clara, CA. My area of service was near the ride called the `Revolution`. The theme of that place was `revolutionary`.
I sold teddy bears and candy. I also sold candy under the heat of the sun, not realizing that I could take cover under the shade of nearby trees.
One older, white woman came up to me and asked if I did sign language. But I didn’t because all I was doing was fidgeting with my fingers out of boredom.
One day and while hugging one of the stuffed animal bears, a guy passed by in front of the store and mistakenly called me `Maria`. My hair was long and curly at that time.
I liked this other white kid because he did martial arts. A few of his buddies came over to talked with me and all I could joke about are the security cameras, which I didn’t know but assumed were everywhere.
That meant actually working a cash register and doing inventory at the end of the season. And for minimum wage at that time, it was fun but short-lived. I had to attend college to get a real degree that would help me earn more money.
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