9. In the past 11 years, I’ve had 9 jobs. Wow!
I’m actually really proud of the fact that I’ve been working since the age of 16. In fact, I would even say that my combined work experiences have helped shape the person I am today. Each and every job taught me a few things about money, hard work, dedication, dealing with people, and most importantly, myself.
Here’s a little run down on my past employment history…
Job #1 – Limited Too (now known as Justice) – Duration 4 months
Looking back, this was a great first job. I learned a lot, got to help young girls pick out fun clothes, worked with my best friend Ashley, walked around the mall (thinking I was too cool for school) during my breaks, and got paid an entire $6.50 an hour. 
Job #2 – Yankee Candle – Duration 1 year
This job was a pretty good job for about the first 6 months. I learned a lot about customer service, sales etiquette, candles (duh), and cashiering. The last 6 months or so were just ok. The new boss was mean, there was lots of turnover, and I was told not to wear my nose ring to work (I think I quit shortly thereafter).
Job #3 – Sally Beauty Supply – Duration 1 Summer
I hated this job…with a passion. It was boring, and the other sales associate I worked with was crazy! She used products while on the job, and she tried to tell me bizarre stories about her life as a stripper. No thanks, crazy,pants! The only perk was that I got a pretty sweet deal on all sorts of beauty products.
Job #4 – UGA Student Learning Center Student Assistant – Duration Sophomore to Senior year of college
BEST JOB EVER! Seriously…my boss was the best (I still keep in touch with her to this day), I finished most of my readings before 5 pm, I played around on the internet A LOT, my friends would stop by and chill with me…couldn’t have been better. I really did luck out on finding this job…sigh, I miss the good old days of undergrad!
Job #5 – Cashier at Target – Duration 1 Summer
I was thrilled to get this job the summer before my junior year of college. Why? Because I always wanted to be a cashier and solely a cashier. Sounds strange, but I really enjoyed it!
However, Target was a little tricky because they score their cashiers based on the total time per transaction. And the competitive side in me never wanted to score anything under 95%, so it was sort of a stressful job. It was still fun while it lasted though.
Job #6 – Intern for a boutique consulting company – Duration 1 Summer
This was my first “real” job. I had to buy new business casual clothes. My office was in Midtown Atlanta. I had a few different clients located around the city. Lunch was usually eaten out with coworkers and/or clients. I travelled a bit as well – Dallas, California, Philly, and Orlando. And boy did I think I was hot s***! Haha.
Job #7 – Consultant for an international accounting firm – Duration 2 years
This was my first job out of college. I learned a lot, traveled a ton, met lots of interesting people, and discovered who I was during this time.
And trust me, it wasn’t as glamorous as it sounds. A lot of my clients were located in Albany, GA, Mechanicsburg, PA, Akron, OH, and a few other tiny cities. In fact, I spent my first 8 weeks travelling to Albany, GA, and the most exciting part of that was getting to stay in the Hilton Garden Inn and racking up points.
Job #8 – Student Consultant for the Office of Organizational Development at Georgia Tech – Duration 1.5 years
Another awesome job that helped me pay my way through business school. I researched best practices, designed surveys, wrote reports, etc. Sounds a little boring, but I thought it was fun working for a major academic institute. And my co-workers were amazing…honestly some of the nicest people I’ve ever met!
Job #9 – Intern and now full-time employee for my current company – Duration 1 Summer and now almost 1.5 years
This is my first job post business school. I work for the Human Resources organization, and I finally feel like I’m doing something I’m good at (or at least think I’m good at) – I have to use both my intellect as well as my personality to really influence people.
As most of you know, I’m currently in a two year development program, which means I have to move 3 times in 2 years (Tucson –> Boston –> Tampa). It’s been a fun ride so far, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
Well there you have it…my resume. Haha. But seriously, I think the following quote sums up this post, my evolution through all of my jobs, and the lessons I’ve learned…
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” –Thomas A. Edison
How many jobs have you held? Which one was your favorite?
Woahh, you have had a ton of jobs!
Wow awesome employment history: such different, yet interesting role! Love that quote by Thomas Edison. I have had 5 jobs including Internships and while a few were kinda snooze, I still got something out of if…and not just an an extra name for my resume 😉
great post Parita. I like how you shared what you learned at every job. I’m on my 8th job. 1 in high school, 1 in college, and then 6 after… yeah, I get bored easily, but I see it as growth. good job!!! 🙂
Wow…you have had a lot of jobs in your life. And you are way younger than me! Good for you though, I think it’s great to see what’s out there and I think that working a retail job is a great way to make extra money while realizing how hard working in retail is!
I worked at Talbots for a while in high school…it was a nightmare! Best motivation to study.
Well put, Ameena – retail is the “best motivation to study.” I love that!
Tampa?! That’s an awesome placement – congrats! Just tim to for winter and AND you’ll be a bit closer to ATL. 🙂
Thank you! Now we have no excuses about meeting up.
I have travelled a lot and done a lot of different jobs all over. I am not ready to settle with one company but i love my current job at Pret-amoda.com in Delhi!
hmm i worked as a lifeguard from sophomore year of high school through senior year of college (at different places), i coached swimming while i was in college and then again after college… i worked as a TA while in grad school and i worked as a direct care worker for adults with developmental disabilities, then i did that job full time at a place i HATED, then moved on to my first professional job as a human service coordinator (best job of my life) but once we moved i did the registrar job and now I’ll be teaching college classes so total….8? yikes! i didn’t realize it was so many 😉
Wow, I worked at Target for a summer too…and was soley a cashier too! I also worked in the holiday season of that year….SO BRUTAL! I wish I could have gotten cross-trained in other areas though…just cashiering for 8 hours straight was physically tiring and some of the customers were MEAN.
But you have quite a resume, nice!