💼 What Was Your 1st Job?

[Winter2025VA]

Babysitting seems to be a "popular" 1st job for the ladies.

And maybe cutting the lawn for the guys.

Take care,

Nicole  💼  (Jobs Forum)

[Winter2025VA]

[Tuesday 11/4/25]

Stop by when you can to tell us about YOUR 1st job!!!

And READ what others have shared.  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

Take care,

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌💼‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Jobs Forum)

[Winter2025VA]

I am now 67 and had to really "think" about this. My 1st job was with a Family Owned Department store run by family friends. I was age 16 and was totally excited that I could ADD to my Pocket Money.

‌📸‌  Screenshot Attached.

Take care,

Nicole. ‌💼‌  (Jobs Forum)

[GAKKIEZ]

  @Winter2025VA  Oh No!  I'm not a veteran, strictly civilian service.  Lots of us civilians, even overseas!

[Winter2025VA]

Anyone had a job at age 15 like @GAKKIEZ ?  ‌‌🤔‌‌

‌‌➡️‌‌[*** @GAKKIEZ wrote: First real job - Working as a Library Page $1.05/hour at age 15 while attending high school in 1970. (my father had passed away unexpectedly, mom already working and 3 other siblings).

It's been interesting!  I have been able over the years to see many changes in automation and the introduction of computers into the workplace.

[GAKKIEZ]

  Last job was working for the Army, retired 2013, 30 years DA civilian overseas and stateside, Personnel Management Specialist - Military.  During my employment I also worked many 2nd jobs because I was a single parent of 2 with minimal ($10/week) child support (the courts told me child support was not meant to be punitive and I had a promotion at work since my last court date - my ex decided to quit working and become a full-time student).

First real job - Working as a Library Page $1.05/hour at age 15 while attending high school in 1970. (my father had passed away unexpectedly, mom already working and 3 other siblings).

  It's been interesting!  I have been able over the years to see many changes in automation and the introduction of computers into the workplace.  1972 - I was hired as a out-patient clerk at Hospital Emergency Room (and to assist in updating records for the introduction of computer record keeping).  1981 - Germany, I was a clerk typist (still just a typewriter) since we were still not allowed to have computers overseas.   1985 - Washington, DC, I was hired as still a clerk typist to transfer all records of the Army Terminology Coordinator to computers (The Army Definitions Regulation).  1986 - still in Washington, DC and a clerk typist finally upgraded to a word processor!  Such a help and so much more efficient working for the Compassionate Review Board.   1987 - still in DC, my first official computer!  Personnel Manager - Enlisted. Working soldier assignments after their initial training.  1988 - DC, working Army Accessions - Enlisted, multiple computer systems (not directly connected) for recruiting, Basic Training, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Training. Managing training seats and scheduling while coordination of DA training seat budget.  2009 - Army Human Resource Command relocation to Fort Knox, KY (Personnel Specialist - Enlisted) working Enlisted personnel policy and procedures and working on the new design of the Army Personnel system.  I also had responsibility for a couple of Army Enlisted Personnel Regulations.   

Learned so much from Clerk typist (GS3) to finally Military Personnel Specialist (GS12) over my career.  During all this time - I worked as a waitress, retail sales clerk, retail credit application approval, inventory clerk.  Volunteered - Red Cross (Graffenwoehr, Germany), elected - Secretary, PTA (Germany), Area Director - Girl Scouts (Germany,  docent Air and Space Museum, Women's Memorial (WIMSA) dedication committee, Womens' Overseas Service League governing documents revision, Womens' Overseas Service League, Chairman - Member Assistance Committee, currently elected Area Director - Womens' Overseas Service League.

[Winter2025VA]

Anyone else was working at age 8 or 9 like @wilful ?  ‌🤔‌

‌➡️‌[*** 

@wilful wrote:
  My siblings and I worked at the family business (a nursery - plants, not kids) starting at about age 8 or 9.

My last occupation was real estate broker/owner.   In between those :  hod carrier, Marine, ice cream maker, student, hard rock miner, roughneck, jungle explorer, loading dock worker, truck driver, finance manager, gym manager, jewelry salesman.

[wilful]

  My siblings and I worked at the family business (a nursery - plants, not kids) starting at about age 8 or 9.

My last occupation was real estate broker/owner.   In between those :  hod carrier, Marine, ice cream maker, student, hard rock miner, roughneck, jungle explorer, loading dock worker, truck driver, finance manager, gym manager, jewelry salesman.

[Winter2025VA]

1960's JOBS.

AI Overview!!!

In the 1960s, common jobs included roles in offices as secretaries and clerks, in healthcare as nurses and teachers, and in service industries like waitressing or flight attendant work. Women also found work as bookkeepers, shop assistants, and in sales, while men commonly held positions like pilot, doctor, or lawyer. Other significant sectors were manufacturing and agriculture, with roles in management, engineering, and farm labor.

[Winter2025VA]

1950's JOBS.

AI Overview!!!

In the 1950s, many jobs were in manufacturing, especially since post-WWII rebuilding created a demand for manufactured goods. Common jobs included clerical work, such as secretaries and typists, and skilled trades like mechanics, carpenters, and electricians. The era was also characterized by service roles like telephone operators, bank tellers, and teachers, though many professional fields remained largely segregated by gender. Other jobs included retail sales clerks, and roles common in the service industry, such as milkmen and gas station attendants.

[Winter2025VA]

1970's JOBS.

AI Overview!!!

In the 1970s, popular jobs included manufacturing roles like assembly line work and industrial jobs in steel and auto manufacturing, alongside expanding service roles such as retail, hospitality, and government positions. Older jobs that largely disappeared during the decade included elevator operator, switchboard operator, and movie projectionist, while new technology-focused roles like computer programmer began to emerge. Teenagers often found work in typical summer or part-time jobs like babysitting, grocery bagging, and lifeguarding, notes the YouTube video.

[Winter2025VA]

1980's JOBS.

AI Overview!!!

Jobs popular in the 1980s included roles in traditional sectors like manufacturing (steel, machinery, textiles), retail, office work, and the burgeoning tech industry (computer operators). However, the decade also saw a significant increase in corporate-focused roles as the economy grew, though traditional jobs in areas like newspaper publishing, appliance manufacturing, and iron foundries also declined in the latter part of the century.

[Winter2025VA]

1940's JOBS.

AI Overview!

Jobs in the 1940s included traditional roles like farmers, blacksmiths, and teachers, but were dramatically reshaped by World War II, which opened up new opportunities in manufacturing and war-related industries for women and minorities. Common occupations also included a wide range of trades, factory work, and an increasing number of "pink-collar" office and service roles, such as secretaries, stenographers, and telephone operators.

➡️[*** Wartime jobs.

(*) Manufacturing: Women filled factory jobs in areas like aircraft, engineering, and linen manufacturing.

(*) Military support: Women joined organizations like the Red Cross, Civil Defence Nursing Service, and Auxiliary Fire Service.

(*) Unique roles: The military also utilized specialized positions like dispatch riders, who delivered messages, and even pigeon breeders.

➡️[*** Traditional and trade jobs.

(*) Skilled trades: Occupations like electricians, carpenters, plumbers, and machinists were common, with apprentice roles available for many of these positions.

(*) Agriculture: Farmers and farm laborers were a significant part of the workforce.

(*) Construction and building: Bricklayers, plasterers, and painters were essential for building and maintenance.

➡️[*** Office and service jobs.

(*) "Pink-collar" roles: Many women, and some men, worked as secretaries, stenographers, telephone operators, and typists in the growing corporate world.

(*) Retail: Department store salespeople and other retail workers were also in demand.

(*) Domestic service: Despite the growth in other sectors, domestic service roles like housekeepers and cooks remained prevalent.

(*) Professional services: Professionals included doctors, lawyers, teachers, nurses, and librarians.