24 Jobs in 14 years!

Just recently, my wife and I were comparing the number of jobs each of us has had. It is very funny (not to mention staggeringly different) when we came up with the final count. My wife has had 4 jobs so far in her life. My count was 24! This is not including many of the one-time jobs I’ve had like mowing someone’s lawn. I admit that 24 jobs between the age of 14 and 27 is probably more than the average but thank the good Lord that only one of the 24 was ended less than happily. All the other jobs ended due to things like having to go back to school, or the job was seasonal, or I was moving. Much better than getting fired don’t you think?

Some people may look at the number of jobs I’ve had and think of it as a negative thing. I’ve thought this at times as well. The negative comments that people could make include things like: “you have no drive or passion”, “you can’t hold a steady job”, “this looks bad on your resume”, “you aren’t building a career”. The list goes on and on. But I am ever the optimist and so I try to look at the positives in any situation. So let’s make some arguments for me about how having 24 jobs in 14 years is a good thing. For starters, the various types of experience I have gained is invaluable. I’ve learned so many skills in those jobs that I couldn’t have otherwise if I’d just said, “Well, I better pick something and stick with it.” I’ve learned everything from making deep fat fried chicken to mixing the proper amount of fertilizer, weed killer, and water together to be sprayed on lawns. I’ve done things like speaking in front of between 1 and 100 high school students about the importance of going to college to substitute teaching kindergarteners to seniors in high school. I’ve learned how to bag groceries so that it is efficient and easy to carry. I’ve learned how to deal with every kind of person in every kind of mood. I’ve learned how to replace windows of all shapes and sizes. I’ve learned how to drive a 14 foot truck (through the most beautiful country in the world-Glacier National Park in Montana). I’ve learned and experienced so many things in these 24 jobs that have helped me to grow and become a more well-rounded person that I wouldn’t have otherwise if I’d only had a few jobs.

The bottom line here is that I may not know what my calling is yet. I have a hard enough time deciding what to eat for dinner! But if you are in a similar situation and still don’t know exactly what you want to do, make sure to take something positive from each job. The skills you obtain will be a great help when it comes to finding your calling in life.