Anne Rode, former clerk, Syracuse University Bookstore When I was in college, I had a work study position that required communication, organization, and creativity.  My job was to answer phones, wrap presents, and make promotional buttons for bookstore staff.  The Syracuse University Bookstore, at least at that time, was three stories, and included not only books, but also clothing, a photography department, and items for dorm rooms, such as carpets, storage containers, and food.  The bookstore was busiest at the beginning of each semester, but when they were not busy, I had plenty of time to do my homework AND get paid for it. 
Mrs. Bush, Business Teacher at Milford Central I have had a lot of different jobs before becoming a teacher.  After doing one semester at Cobelskill College, I went to work at New York Central Mutual Fire Insurance Company as a claims letter writer.  There I learned punctuality and patience.  After a year and a half, I left to work at Key Bank in Cooperstown.  I learned responsiblity by training to become a head teller.  Every day you must balance within $1.  I then left the bank to work for Mr. Tom Rathbone at the Deleware Otsego Railroad.  My title was the administrative assistant to the vice president of construction.  I was a secreatary!  I learned how to set up a filing system from nothing and organization.  After another year and a half I left to work Albert Beard, a Farm Family Insurance Agent.  I learned customer relations by dealing with insureds.  I left him to return to college.  After graduating from SUCO, I did a lot of substitute teaching.  I then landed a job at Morris school where I taught for 7 years before coming to Milford. Out of all the jobs I have had, I love teaching the best.  As I begin my 12th year teaching, I am as excited as the first year.  Students are different every year and because I teach business, my classes are different every period.  This is the career I love!
Mrs. Seward, local Congressional Office Manager Several years ago, I was the part-time office manager for our local Congressman.  This involved talking with constituents about their federal government concerns, everything from a Social Security problem to a constituent's feelings about a certain Congressional bill.  After conversing, I would instruct them as to what could be done for them; often it meant I had to talk with the Congressman's office in Washington, D.C. to forward the concern, along with the constituent's name, address, and phone number.  In some instances, I would be back in touch with the constituent; in others, the Washington office would be in touch.  Some days were extremely busy and others not.  Working with government officials is extremely energizing and rewarding.  What I gleaned from this job, other than meeting fascinating people and having a broader outlook on government, is that politics is involved in all aspects of our lives, whether it means having laws to govern our actions (instituted to look out for the good of all; such as seat belts, bike helmets) or whether it means having to know how to deal with many different types of people.  A job such as this usually comes about through networking [meeting as many people as you can, getting your name and qualifications "out there", asking questions of/getting advice from many people in many situations], something all young people should work at; in the public service realm, one's success often depends on who you know as much as it does on what you know.  
Paul Mendelsohn One summer, many years ago, I worked for The Conservation Dept (DEC). It being summer, I loved being outdoors all day and I liked the crew of guys I worked with. I particularly recall spending about three weeks in a very isolated area cutting down trees to make a right-of-way to widen a road. The kind of tired I felt at the end of the day was just physical- my mind was free to notice and enjoy everything about the woods where we worked- all I had to do was think about how & where that tree was going to fall and listen to a few tall tales.