Does your first job at 16 dictate what jobs you will be able to get in the future?

Question

Some friends and I got together and started talking about this one and realized that at least for the three of us haven't been able to break out of the track that our first high school job put us on. I was in retail and still am despite having a degree and management experience. Another friend is trapped in the food industry. Still another, in secretarial work despite a masters degree in business management. Are we doomed by our first job I ask you?

Answer 1

Well, my first job was in fast food. Now I'm in admin, so I'd say no.

Answer 2

Absolutely not. My first job was an office boy at a Real Estate investment firm.

Since then, I've sold knives, worked in two heavy equipment leasing firms, been a manager at UPS, sold mortgages, managed sales people, run customer account management, run operations, managed software programmers, done business development, held Director-level technology executive positions, and even served as a pastor of a local church. And I don't have a college degree.

But here's what keeps someone tied to a single path - fear of the unknown, and comfort with what one is familiar with.

You actually have to take the chance and apply for the job that, for all intents and purposes, you think you are completely unqualified for. You don't have the 2 years in the industry, you don't have the degree they're asking for, yadda yadda yadda.

Many times, what an employer wants is a competent, ethical person who can think on their feet...with very few exceptions, you can teach most anything to just about anyone...but you can't teach character, self-discipline or passion.

No one is 'trapped' in an industry...unless they ALLOW themselves to be trapped by never pushing outside the box.

Answer 3

No- you determine what you will do and where you will go.

Do you enjoy the many aspects of your profession? I did, I really like retail, except the income didn't suffice me so I tried property management (Apartment leasing) and fell in love. Not only do you receive hourly pay but you can expect commissions as well. Once you get into one company you will have no trouble moving around, if need be.

My dad worked at a gas station as a teenager and is a firefighter grossing over $100K/yr now in CA.

Don't let yourself stay in a "rut" because you don't want to look back in 20 years and do the "shoulda, woulda, couldas".

Answer 4

I don't believe we are, but we certainly have to find the right road. It's so hard to find a job these days that it just takes the right one to pop up. I was able to move up quickly just by coincidence. Of course, I'm still not exactly where I want to be, but I moved (within one year) from working as a Cashier in an office supplies store to being and Administrative assistant to a Judge for the court of appeals. You never know when something will come your way, but you have to keep trying to break out. (my first job was at Hardees, so I'm proof positive that there is no curse!)

Answer 5

I don't think there is any correlation between a first job and a lifetime career.

My first job was as a stockclerk at the local Woolworth's 5 and 10 cent store. It was the only time I ever had anything to do with retail.

I remember a college friend who had, as his first job, a hot and miserable job working in a Gary, Indiana steel mill. He told me that job was responsible for his going to college because he looked at the guys he was working with and decided he didn't want to end up like them when he was in his 50's or 60'.

Answer 6

Not at all, the average person will change careers 3-5 times in their lives. I think it's more you guys are applying for jobs for which you have skills and can get. You can either not apply for those, go to school and learn a new trade, or consider joining a larger corporation with multiple areas or departments, and transfer into an area you are more interested in.

Answer 7

I think for the first few years, yes... but, you only get hired at places where you go to seek jobs... so, if you want to get out of retail (which I have not yet been able to escape either) then you have to go to a job interview for some place that is not retail. Otherwise, you will be stuck there.

Answer 8

Not necessarily...if experience is what you lack, volunteer or intern somewhere. I know it sucks working for very little, if any, pay. But these are great ways to gain experience - just make sure you're gaining valuable experience, not just doing work no one else wants to do. I know someone who interned for a government agency, and she literally scanned paper all day. Talk about pointless.

Answer 9

It defenitely sets a standard.

My first job was at BK.

I went to school, worked restarants the whole time and when I left school, I stayed in the Buz. It was there and I liked it. People tend to stick to what they are familiar with.

Answer 10

i imagine you could sit and extremely imagine about it. do you wanna be pregnant? do you wanna keep a touch one? do you imagine you'd be in a position to grant it away? in my view if i became 16 i'd get an abortion because i could not supply my infant up for adoption and at 16 your now unlikely to be the great figure you could be. you'd be more proper then me as someone. purely imagine about what's for you. newborns are ordinary to get followed so in case you choose adoption please do not wait in the different case the newborn will be yet another detrimental newborn recycling foster homes. do your mothers and fathers understand? per chance you could search for advice from with them.

Answer 11

of course not. Some of our greatest titans of industry started at McDonald's. First jobs are to get you used to working, how to get along with others, and basic business tenets. As you get older you will gravitate to something you like.