Learning the Value of a Dollar

I still remember the day I landed my first job as if it was just yesterday. This day could not have had more impact on my life. The day was Monday, July 5, 2004 that I landed my very first interview. I was 16 years old and had just finished up my junior year at Oxnard High School. I had been searching for a job since I first turned 16 in October of 2003 but had no luck because I had no experience. I applied just about everywhere that I knew was hiring. I found that I didn’t really enjoy high school so I wanted to take the work experience class they offered so that I could leave school early to work. I also come from a family of seven which includes my parents and four siblings; I wanted to be the first out of my siblings to get a job. My parents were not financially stable at the time and weren’t throughout my whole childhood so I wanted to contribute something rather than sit there and ask for things and want things I knew they could not afford. 

I had taken a home economics class during my junior year that gave us a lecture on how to land a job and proper work etiquette. I learned that you needed to show interest by calling the employer because they get a lot of applicants so calling them would help me stand out of the bunch. I wouldn’t overdo it on the phone calls because I also learned that a business can be busy and I didn’t want to annoy them. After applying and all the calls and hard work the day I landed my first interview finally came.

I wasn’t home on the Friday afternoon that Deanna from Subway called my house asking for me. I was out with my boyfriend at the time shopping but the minute I started walking up to my house my older sister Eileen and younger sister Vivian ran up to me holding a message written on a little piece of paper. Of course I asked “what’s going on?!” they continued to talk over each other for a moment because they were really excited for me. Finally Eileen said “A lady named Deanna called you from Subway and wants you to call her back! she wants to know if you’re still looking for a job”. I said “no way!!!” and I ran inside really nervous and excited and locked myself in my room to call her in private. I proceeded dialing the number with a shaky hand on my parents white phone with my heart pounding up to my throat. Three rings later I hear “thank you for calling Subway how may I help you?”  After my conversation with her I had an interview set for the very next Monday at 2 P.M. That whole weekend I remember being a nervous wreck and doing some research online for what to expect at my interview. I practiced how I would respond to the questions I thought she was going to ask me and prepared my outfit for the day.

When Monday finally arrived my mom drove me to my interview. I arrived a few minutes early so I waited in the lobby shaking and wiping my sweaty palms on my black pants. Finally the moment came when Deanna walked out of the back and called me into her tiny little office. Seeing her in person finally after only having talked over the phone was not what I expected. She was sort of heavy set with red hair and was younger then she sounded. I sat there with her as she asked me about my availability and questions about how I would handle certain situations. I was very intimidated because, although she was very friendly, she was also stern at times. After the interview she gave me a quick tour of the restaurant and then it all came to an end. That is until a few hours later when she called me to tell me she would love for me start working with them that week. I began working two days later.

My first day on the job was very nerve wrecking because I was afraid of not impressing my boss and my coworkers. I wanted to stay busy and ask a lot of questions to show them I was eager to learn and wanted to be there. Alberta Beall, the manager on staff at the time, trained me. She taught me the basics as to how to prep the veggies, where the supplies were, the types of bread and cookies we sold, the names of the sandwiches and how to prepare some of them. Making my first sandwich for a customer was very exciting for me. The customer could tell I was new and told me to take my time which I though was very nice. He made small talk with me as I somewhat struggled to make his sandwich. He asked how my first day was going so far and mentioned that I was doing great on his sandwich so for me not to be so nervous.

My parents were so proud of me for landing the job just as much as I was. I felt a sense of independence and accomplishment. From that point on I made it a point to give half of my paycheck every two weeks to my parents to help out with a utility bill. I absolutely hated to see them struggle financially or argue over money so I felt at 16 I should be old enough to do my part. They couldn’t have been more appreciative. Growing up I was never able to have the things I wanted so after my job it truly felt great to be able to save up for my own things or to walk into a store and buy that pair of jeans I wanted so much. I didn’t want my little sister and brother to grow up the way I did so I bought them a lot of things too. I always took them out for new shoes and clothes because I wanted them to look sharp all the time. I grew up wearing nothing but hand-me downs and had to wear my shoes until they honestly fell apart. I know it may sound materialistic of me but for once I wanted to have nice things.

I couldn’t be more grateful that Deanna saw potential in me and was willing to hire me without any previous experience. I kept that job throughout high school and was still able to keep very exceptional grades. Landing my first job at such a young age taught me a lot about myself. I knew at that point the true value of a dollar and the experience helped me grow up a little faster. Working in fast food also taught me that I knew I wanted an education so that I could find a way better job with much higher pay. I have had several jobs since and have worked consistently except for when I attended Ventura College full time in 2007. Overall, my first job definitely helped mold me so I will forever see that time as a beneficial experience for me.