The Voice Asks: What Was Your First Job?

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By Rochelle Karina

With all the focus on jobs lately, The Voice decided it was time to take a look back at how some our community members earned their first paychecks. Whether it was working in the family business, delivering newspapers, mowing lawns, babysitting, or flipping burgers, that first job was a taste of independence and many lessons learned. We made a few phone calls and emails to elected representatives, school principals, and business leaders, then we hit the streets. 

"My first job as a roofer taught me the rewards of a hard day’s work. I was just a little heavier than the bundles of shingles that I carried up the ladder all day." - Senator Bryan Simonaire

“I had my first job at 15 years old at Ocean Playland Amusement Park in Ocean City, Maryland. My father had rental apartments on 15th Street so my mother, four brothers and I would go to Ocean City when school was over for the summer. We lived there until school resumed after the summer break so we could take care of the summer renters and apartment units. I worked at Ocean Playland for several summers as a cashier/ticket sales and as a ride operator assistant.” - Sandi Parrish, CEO Pasadena Business Association

“Friendly's Ice Cream shop on Mountain Road was my first real job. I was a waiter, cook, dishwasher, and made at least a million Reese’s Pieces sundaes. After a couple years I began to manage shifts there and eventually became a general manager of a location in Edgewater. I learned a lot about how to run a business, manage employees, and be accountable to customers.” - Delegate Nic Kipke

“Working the streets of Pasadena delivering the Maryland Gazette for a little over $3 a house per month (I think). Neither the rain nor the snow could stop me from getting those papers out! I was 13 and I have had a job ever since.” - Derek Fink, County Councilman

“I worked as a waterman digging up clams in the Great South Bay in New York. Some days I didn’t do so well, and some days I did very well. You got up, took the boat out, dug clams, came back in sorted and sold them, then went home and got some sleep. The next day, you did it all over again.” – Frank Drazan, Principal Chesapeake High School

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