Jobs

Last Friday my supervisor at work retired after 44 years of work. I couldn’t imagine working at the same place for 44 years, but if I stay there until I retire I will be close to it. Chances are I will be too. I like my job, I make decent money, and I like this city.

I have only had two jobs in my life. Three if you count the paper route that I had before I was sixteen. I started my paper route when I was 11. Having a paper route takes lots of dedication. It only took 45 minutes every morning for me to do my route, but it had to be done EVERY morning. So from the age of 11 to 16, I was up at 6:00 AM every day to deliver my papers. There were time when I had to get a substitute, but then there were times with I substituted on other routes too.

I started working at a restaurant when I turned 16. I started as a dishwasher, and worked my way up to the top cook. That also took a lot of dedication because it involved working every weekend. I worked there for seven years, and only called in sick once. It was tough when the employees had to work shorthanded, so I never wanted to do that to them. I worked at that restaurant until I graduated college, and got my current job.

I am on my 12th year at my current job. It is also a job that required some dedication. It’s a 24 hour a day, seven days a week operation. Someone has to be there at all times, so it involves working nights, weekends, and holidays. I have taken a few more sick days at this job though. We get sick days, and working 12 hour shifts sick is no fun.

So I guess I am a creature of habit and don’t like change. Not many 34 year olds can say they have only had two jobs since they were 16. I will have to work until the age of 67 to get 44 years in. Who knows what age I will be able to retire at? I haven’t really looked into it much. Honestly I’m in no hurry to retire. I like to keep busy. I guess I could always find things to do, but I am afraid I will get bored retired. I don’t see myself being a Wal-Mart Greater either.