First Job Search

[Rmarsh]

Being one of eight children...you soon realize that the world does not revolve around you, and I grew up taking what I was given and asking for nothing more.

Back in the chamber cleaning, I wondered what other dirty jobs Joe had lined up. I worked diligently.... making good progress, and by the end of the day I was close to finishing...and completely filthy.

I cleaned my hands and face as best I could and waited for Joe to come pick me up. I waited some more....then wondered if he was coming or maybe forgot me. After an hour or so I made the decision to start walking home...it was a long way but I had a lot of experience with that and I usually had good luck with hitchhiking rides.
Problem with that was I was filthy from head to toe...no one was stopping. Somehow I ended up on I 195...still holding my thumb out there but nada. Was about to give up and just walk when I saw a white Buick Wildcat coming down the highway....could that be my dad? It was....he must have recognized me at the last second....he quickly pulled over and I ran to the car.
"Jesus Christ"! he said "What the hell have you been doing?" I hadn't told him anything about my new job until now.

[JohnR]

; )

My first paying gig (other than paper route or under the table local odd jobs) was summer between Junior and Senior year of HS: Mess Hall KP at the 2/37th Armor, Panzer Kaserne.

[Guppy]

Originally Posted by JohnR

; )

My first paying gig (other than paper route or under the table local odd jobs) was summer between Junior and Senior year of HS: Mess Hall KP at the 2/37th Armor, Panzer Kaserne.

How was the pay? :-)

[Rmarsh]

My dad was on his way home from work at Newport Naval Base, when he saw me hitchhiking on the highway.
We didn't have a lot of interaction back then, and he was gone for weeks sometimes, traveling to Navy bases all over the world to test fire weapon systems. I was about to graduate high school and had no plan or moneys to go to college or a career path to follow.

On the short ride home we discussed my situation and lack of transportation. I told him I had been looking for a used car but was far from having the $800 dollars it would cost. Without hesitation he offered to loan me the money, at the same time he suggested that I look for a better job with room to advance.
Next morning, Joe comes to pick me up and apologizes for leaving me stranded the previous day. I told him it was okay and that I might have a car soon anyway.

I knew my dad was right about getting into another line of work...but what. I started scouring the help wanted adds and saw one that I thought "I could do that".
Carpenters helper wanted for work on Cape Cod...transportation provided