My guilty pleasure over coffee every morning is to see what’s new at cracked.com. This morning’s article about Five Jobs Everyone In the World Should Have At Some Point made me reflect on my own job path and how my various work experiences have shaped who I am today.

#5 on their list is waiting tables

I’ve never done that, but I have worked extensively in the customer service world, both in retail and in hospitality. I agree with the article that serving others tells you a lot about yourself and can influence how you treat others.

#4 is something with kids

My baby-sitting career lasted from about age eight to about age 20 and then I said, never again! But, again, I agree with the article that working with kids gave me a sense of being an adult and of being responsible. I wasn’t just watching kids for an evening. It could be for a stretch of a couple of weeks. I also supervised mentally handicapped adults during this period of my life, again for weeks at a stretch, while being responsible for the full running of the household. I felt more like an adult during those years than I have since.

#3 is tech support of any kind

I wore many hats during my first position in the Federal government, and one of them was telecom officer. I was responsible for getting phones hooked up, walking people through the set up of personal options, and troubleshooting problems. I was also the conference room scheduler who had to know how all the equipment worked, from the conference call telephones to the projectors. Yeah, I certainly learned how to deal patiently with people who don’t speak the same language as me.

#2 is something where you have power

I’ve had roles with weak power in the past, but nothing like my current position. I have the full weight of the Alberta tenancy act behind me in dealing with deadbeats and jerks. I decide if someone is going to get an apartment or not, if I’m going to be patient with late rent or evict them, let them have the cat, put up with their party, etc. I’ve never had a job like this before and I am shocked to discover that I am good at it. The comment I get from all my tenants, even those I have to be strict with, is that I’m the best manager they’ve had. I’ve discovered that I know how to use power positively and that I can command respect. This job has been transformative and I am truly grateful for the experience.

#1 is something mindless/labour intensive

I experienced this at the nursery in Oliver. My mind is too active for this kind of work, but I am glad to know that I can do it, that I can put in an almost relentless eight-hour day of bending and lifting or assembling cardboard boxes, one where there is no doubt that I have earned my supper.

I think that there is one job missing from this list, or, rather, there should be a sixth. Everyone should try working for themselves for a while. By doing so, I’ve discovered that I am actually a very disciplined person.

Now, would you believe that this post only covers about half of the jobs I’ve had? 😀