Week Twenty-Five: Your First Job

I'm again looking to recent events in my daughter's life for ideas for writing prompts. She just started working at Cinnabon at a nearby mall, and normally is a fairly unorganized person. However, this new job has forced her to stay on track with homework, appointments, and deadlines, which has been an unexpected bonus!

Here some prompts to get you thinking about your first job...whether it was actual employment, or work around your home or neighborhood as a child or teen:

1. Describe your first job. Where and for whom did you work? How did you hear about this job, and what was the hiring process?

2. What were your expected duties? How often did you work? What were your hours?

3. What were your wages or salary? How often were you paid? Was it in cash or by check? Did you receive any benefits, and if so, what were they? Did you ever get a raise?

4. What did you do with the money you earned? Was it saved for a particular reason, or was it used for living expenses or freely spent? Did you have a bank account? Did you pay taxes?

5. Did you have to wear a uniform or working clothes? If so, write a description. If you have a photo of yourself in the uniform or working clothes, add it to your journal.

6. Did you like your job? Why or why not? Was it difficult or easy? Were there particular duties you enjoyed or especially disliked? Why? Would you do that sort of work again?

7. Write about your supervisor. What was it like to work for him or her? Did you get along? Explain.

8. Write about your co-workers. How did you get along with them? Did you make new friends at work? Are you still in touch today?

9. Do you have any funny stories or experiences to share from your working experience at your first job? What about any sad or thoughtful ones? Did anything unfair happen to you while you worked there?

9. How long did you work at this job? Why did you leave? Where did you go for your next job?

You could continue this writing prompt for several weeks by writing about each subsequent job you had. You could also write about any times of unemployment or gaps in your work history (such as a woman staying home to raise a family).

You could also write about the employment history of your parents, or even your grandparents. If they are still alive, interview them about it. If not, write what you recall. Either way, you will be leaving a written record for their descendants.