First Job Lessons to Remember

My youngest kid just started his first job. Having a first job means experiencing some serious adulting, and it comes with many lessons learned. And a lot of these lessons are ones that you can keep with you for your entire career — from intern to CEO.

Remember that book “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten”? The lessons learned in your first job are kind of like those kindergarten lessons. Be thoughtful and kind to everyone. Do a good job at every task. Be helpful. Be on time. Simple stuff, really, but foundational to having a good work experience in every job you’ll ever have.

Learning the Ropes

My 16-yr-old son is learning a whole new set of adult-life rules of employment. From me, from his new boss, from his co-workers. And from his fluffy charges: he works at a doggy daycare. That boy loves dogs more than people, so I am thankful that he has this particular job as his first job. He is passionate about caring for dogs. He texts me pics of his furry friends during his shifts with their names and some anecdotal cuteness they’ve just accomplished.

My son’s first job reminds me often of MY first job (not that I took care of dogs). But I did something I loved too. I took care of books, my passion. I shelved books in the Kansas City Kansas public library after school and most weekends. For an introvert who was already plowing her way through the entire science fiction section of the library anyway, it was a dream come true to work there. I checked out all the new releases first. I could put books on hold when I saw them come in. So I never missed out on reading the lastest and greatest. And did I mention that I loved putting things in alphabetical and Dewey Decimal System order?

Big Picture Lesson: Do Something You Love

Having a first job is one of the first times that you experience interacting and getting along with people who are not your family or school mates, on a regular basis. You are all working together toward a common goal. That’s something to remember. Whether that’s stacking boxes in a warehouse, flipping a burger, walking a dog or shelving a book, you are now a part of a team. You can take pride in doing a good job not just for yourself, but for the team. The feeling of a shared mission is one you’ll take to every job you will ever have, and use for inspiration.

Best Job Lesson: Know your worth

As a teenager, the best part of your first job is you are getting paid to do this! Earning an hourly wage — large or small — definitely makes you focus more, and work harder on the task at hand. You are considered helpful and sometimes even an expert at SOMETHING! So much so that they want to pay you for your knowledge or your handiwork! The realization of that first paycheck moment is your first glimpse into your ability to build skills to create value. With every job, pat yourself on the back for your next pay raise, or promotion — you’re doing great!

Use your first job to enjoy any job

As you grow in skills and get higher paying jobs, remember to savor your accomplishments, and the fact that someone wants to pay you to do something you already love doing! Remember the work friends that you’ve made and kept even when you’re no longer working together. Think about that new skill you learned, and then fell in love with and became an expert at doing. And how much that made you feel smart and valuable.

Sometimes work can feel like a grind, but when you look at your job through your 16-yr-old eyes, maybe what you’re doing is actually pretty cool. And look how far you’ve come!

What have I learned from my classes at school?

As my academic journey nears an end, I am reflecting on key learning from classes. I’ve gained valuable lessons that I’m taking with me. The most precious thing I’ve learned from this path is realizing my strengths. My strengths are communication, technology, research, accuracy, and consistency. And I will strive to apply these strengths in my future work life.

Being part of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program

I am in my final semesters with good academic standing in school. Thus I was given the opportunity to participate in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business program. The GS10K Small Business is a prestigious program which partners small business owners with students. It’s a win/win for both the student and business owners.

To start, this partnership gives some students their first job experience. Next, it gives small business owners the opportunity to give back to their community – as a mentor, colleague, client or partner. First, the staff of Front Porch Marketing have become my mentors. So they continue to guide and challenge me. Next, they are helping me realize my strengths. And finally, I get to use the tools I am learning in school on the job to become successful beyond my educational journey.

Biggest key learning from classes: communication

Front Porch Marketing is a digital marketing firm that operates 100% virtually. Communication is key to the success of our company. Formally addressing people in email and text messages is an important business process. Prompt and clear responses keep projects moving and clients happy.

Beyond communication, I am learning time management, organization, accuracy and consistency. Often, organization and time management are crucial to success in a virtual environment. First, as a full-time student and part-time intern, I have to organize my files and time efficiently. Then I am able to meet my deadlines. I use these skills daily at Front Porch.

Finally, we also alternate writing on the FPM website blog. So this is my first blog post written for Front Porch Marketing!

What have I learned?

Technology is leading future work. For marketing, you need a desktop, cell phone, internet, and online meeting forums like Zoom and Microsoft Collaborate. And I use various software for this job including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. In addition, Mailchimp, Pipedrive, Word Press and Adobe Illustrator have become part of my weekly duties.

• I researched YouTube to learn how to implement and launch Pipedrive CRM. Pipedrive is a customer relationship management tool. It is a cloud-based software program designed to manage and track sales prospects, progress, and win/loss revenue. 
• I used Microsoft Excel to transfer data from Pipedrive into a report for updating clients contact information. I also retrieve other client information such as email addresses and physical locations from the Excel spreadsheets I build.
• At Front Porch Marketing, I keep Mailchimp updated for clients, monitoring and updating contact lists. Mailchimp is an email marketing software program.
• I use Microsoft Word to create and duplicate client files, letters, and reports. Here real world work reinforces key learning from classes almost every day.
• I can connect with others on Zoom and Microsoft Collaborate, which are virtual meeting platforms. We share information in real time for better communication.

Nearing the end of my classes: the final dance

After suffering through all the reading writing and arithmetic, this semester’s courses seem hand-picked. Lessons learned apply to the marketing field, and to today’s trends and current events. I am currently studying cyber security and the importance of securing devices. I am also taking PC Help Desk Support classes. Listening and writing skills are required. First, we learn to develop problem-solving techniques. Then, we relay what we learned to a customer or co-workers.

And most relevant of all, I am in the middle of Introduction to Digital Media. Many fields including marketing, movies, newsletters, and web design include digital media. We have completed projects that involved setting up and learning Word Press, creating our own website and adding a weekly blog.

As my journey continues, I have been blessed to have the best people at Front Porch Marketing to guide me to the finish line. Therefore I want to thank you all – you rock!

It only takes one person to believe in you.

These words truly resonate with me and are greatly exemplified in the connections I’ve made, both professionally and personally. From being an intern to an associate to now a coordinator, this past year and a half has been an introspective journey that I wouldn’t have changed for the world. 

During the peak of COVID last year, I thought that my plan to gain work experience before graduation would result in a dead end. Originally, I had an internship to work for Eatwith, an authentic culinary experience company, in Barcelona. Then that internship was cancelled due to the national travel ban – one that was completely understandable. Since the summer was about to begin, internships were filled and I worried that I would have a huge gap in my resume.  

Then the best thing happened.  

I shared my story about my internship falling through on Facebook and a friend of a friend led me to Julie Porter, CEO of Front Porch Marketing. From day one I felt like I was an equal to an empowering group of women. A team that truly embodies the meaning of fostering growth in one another, professionally and personally. I couldn’t believe my luck!

As an incoming marketing intern, I learned what felt like a million and one things about the marketing field all at once. From jargon to WordPress to branding, the marketing world was my oyster. Before I knew it, the summer was over and I had experience in working not only with one industry but over five – ranging from beauty to education to technology! 

Upon starting my senior year at Baylor University, I was honored when Julie asked me to continue working for the FPM team. As the new Digital Marketing Associate, I started working more autonomously on client’s websites, content creation, and branding documents. The workload was more intensive and my passion for marketing continued to grow with each passing day.

Those days quickly became a blur and before I knew it, I’d graduated from Baylor University with honors in May. As a graduate, the next stop was decidedly to get my MBA and hone my digital marketing skills. Although it seemed simple enough, the advice I received through my network ranged across the board:

The first connection wanted to connect me with Omni Hotel & Resorts in Dallas.

The second connection wanted me to work for American Express in New York.

The third connection wanted me to get my MBA at Baylor University. 

The fourth connection wanted me to get my MBA at an IVY League University.

And the fifth connection wanted me to re-pursue my interest in working internationally. 

What felt like initially one path, quickly turned into multiple forks in the road.  

The Fork I Took

Through reflection, time, and encouragement my future path is now clearer than ever. Although I’m truly sad to be departing from a company that has become like a family to me, my newest venture is now taking me to Omni Hotel & Resorts where I will be the new Digital Media Coordinator. I cannot wait to apply the lessons, skills, and insights that I’ve gained at FPM to the hospitality industry. I couldn’t have asked for better guidance than what I’ve received from the women of FPM. Without a doubt, I know what those who work with FPM in the future will see exactly what I have been privy to this past year and a half, a team of ladies with love in their hearts for not only the company’s mission, but for each other. 

In Conclusion

I love you ladies! Thank you for always encouraging me to find my aspirations in life. I cannot wait to take on the next step in my journey with ya’ll cheering me on. This company and each and every one of ya’ll will always have a special place in my heart.