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Now: Wildlife rehabilitator
Then: Supermarket courtesy clerk
Current position: Wildlife rehabilitator with the Progressive Animal Welfare Society Wildlife Center
First job: I was the person who bagged your groceries. The pay wasn't bad – maybe $5 an hour – for a first job. I stayed in grocery retail for another 17 years, because the benefits were good and the pay was decent.
What I learned: Providing good customer service is a huge part of working in grocery retail and I'm thankful for learning those skills early on. However, something that I learned, but didn't apply for another 17 years later when I decided to leave grocery retail, is that whatever career you choose, you really need to love it. I eventually left the grocery business and enrolled in the veterinary-assistant program at Pima Medical Institute in Seattle. Working with animals is what I love and I am fortunate to have finally found direction in my life.
Want to tell us about your first job? E-mail business@seattletimes.com
