Falling in Love with Your First Job [infographic] – Friday Distraction
(Editor’s Note: Today’s post is brought to you by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). As the philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association, the NRAEF works to attract, develop and retain professionals for the restaurant industry. Enjoy today’s post!)
I imagine we all remember our very first job. I’m not talking about your first career-related job. I mean the first time we ever worked for someone else to earn a paycheck. From a career development perspective, it was the job that taught us how to become an employee. You know, show up on time, complete our work assignments, wear something besides jeans and a t-shirt, etc.
For me, one of my first paid jobs was working in a restaurant. I wasn’t alone – 9 out of 10 people under age 18 say their first job was also in the restaurant industry. And for over age 18, the number is 7 out of 10. So many of us “learn the ropes” about being an excellent employee from our time working in restaurants.
On the surface, you might say that makes sense. Working in the restaurant industry is a good first job. But did you know that over 50% of the people who start in the industry plan to stay? Check out the statistics below from this study by the National Restaurant Association’s Education Foundation.
In last week’s infographic, one of the stats that I really liked was that 8 of 10 restaurant employees say the industry is a place where people of all backgrounds can open their own business. As a small business owner it made me think back to my first job and how it helps me now.
What was your first job? And what lessons learned do you still remember today.
