Sorta Random Sunday: Every Job I’ve Ever Had Before Becoming a Doctor

This thought popped into my mind the night before I wrote this. Watching Sunday Night Football, they had Samuel L. Jackson there talking about how he sold peanuts at the old Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium when the Falcons first started in the NFL in 1966. I always think it’s interesting to see what kinds of job people have had in the past. And so, I figured I would share every job I’ve ever had…so far.

Should kids work?

But, a quick aside first…

My take

I had a bunch of jobs growing up. And I think they helped me to develop my work ethic and also to learn the value of a dollar.

Mind you, I didn’t really have to work. I grew up pretty comfortable. But working gave me money that I had to use to pay my car insurance along with some extra spending money.

But more than this, working showed me what I didn’t want to do. I could see how hard being a hourly worker was. It gave me more drive and motivation to pursue my passions. I was fine giving more time and effort to my studies because I knew the alternative.

The other side

Interestingly, Selenid was the exact opposite. She grew up and never really worked a true job before her professional life.

And the reason was that her mom wanted to be able to focus totally on her studies and big dreams and goals.

In the end, Selenid came through with an immense drive and work ethic. She also had, I would say, a better and healthier relationship with money than I did for much of our lives.

Why the difference?

I can’t say for sure. But it may be because I grew up in a more privileged situation than Selenid.

She already had an appreciation for hard work and money out of necessity. While I was more comfortable and maybe needed to be put outside of that comfort zone to learn this?

And I can tell you that it’s a point of discussion regarding what we will do from our kids. But that’s a few years off.

Anyway…

Here is every job I’ve ever had

Beginning when I got my New York State worker’s permit at 15 years old in August 2002…

1. Wegman’s Food Market

A grocery store that is very popular in Western New York.

I was a cashier but absolutely hated it. It was too monotonous.

My goal was to get transferred to dairy. But it never happened. Instead, I tended to push the carts outside back into their corrals and then back into the store.

2. Hollister

A friend of mine working at Hollister got me this job. I changed from Wegman’s to working here because at least I got to move around.

But it was still really boring. Just walking around and pretending to fold clothes and waiting for the hours to pass.

Plus blaring music. And the cologne smell.

The worst was that they wanted you to buy their clothes to wear while working. So you essentially had to give part of your pay check right back to them. Didn’t make sense. I just wore plain color clothes instead.

3. Great Buffalo Physical Therapy

This is actually the office that my step dad owns and works at as a PT. And my mom runs the office.

So, I would work in the office helping to enter data in the computers and take calls etc. Not a bad gig.

4. Emory University Gymnasium

During college, I worked in the gym.

They had a stand right when you walked in and you had to swipe your student card to get in. I made sure people swiped in. Or didn’t.

It was nice that I could do my schoolwork while there however.

That’s all folks

That’s every job I ever worked before becoming a doctor.

After college, I didn’t work in medical school. No work during those 4 years. And then I started residency. That was my first doctor job.

And after that, I found my perfect job using these 6 steps and am still here today!

What do you think? Did you work another job before becoming a doctor? What’s every job you’ve ever worked? Did they help you long-term? Let me know in the comments below!