[TheNaturalBoy]

At some point in life, many people get their first formal job, whether it’s for learning, self-improvement, paying for school, or simply becoming independent. In videos, movies, and similar media, the most commonly mentioned job — and a recurring joke — seems to be working at a fast-food restaurant like McDonald’s or Burger King.

Did anyone here go through those kinds of jobs? Did you have a good experience? Did you learn a lot? Or was it actually a bad experience that left you with unpleasant memories from your first jobs?

What recommendations would you give to younger people for their first job? What companies, positions, or workplaces would you avoid, etc.?

[Rionxee]

I got my first job in high school working at a hardware store with a friend of mine, but then two months in they randomly said we would be working nights on weekend to help stock. I worked 2 weekends doing the night shift and my friend called me who lived in California and said his parents were flying me out for the summer.

Never showed back up or told anyone there. My friend ended up quitting at the same time too.

Knew at that time, hard labor like unloading trucks and shipment was not for me.

If I was smart I would have started working earlier at like a sno-cone shop or something fun where all of the girls were.

[Iccccy]

At some point in life, many people get their first formal job, whether it’s for learning, self-improvement, paying for school, or simply becoming independent. In videos, movies, and similar media, the most commonly mentioned job — and a recurring joke — seems to be working at a fast-food restaurant like McDonald’s or Burger King.

Did anyone here go through those kinds of jobs? Did you have a good experience? Did you learn a lot? Or was it actually a bad experience that left you with unpleasant memories from your first jobs?

What recommendations would you give to younger people for their first job? What companies, positions, or workplaces would you avoid, etc.?

Had my first job working at local grocery store in northwest Illinois, started off as bagger and eventually worked my way up to stocker and cashier. It was around the time I made this account on HF :)

[Mastercarder]

My first job was at a pizza shop. Honestly it taught me more than I expected. You learn pretty quickly how to deal with pressure, impatient customers, fast-paced environments, and working with all kinds of personalities. It’s not glamorous work, but it builds discipline and work ethic if you take it seriously. One thing I’d recommend to anyone starting their first job is to actually pay attention and learn how businesses operate instead of just watching the clock. Even simple jobs teach communication, time management, and how to handle responsibility.

Also one recommendation would probably be, don’t waste your first paychecks trying to impress people. Save money early and build good habits from the start because that compounds over time. I spent way too much money in my younger years and it's all catching up to me now lol.

[Iccccy]

My first job was at a pizza shop. Honestly it taught me more than I expected. You learn pretty quickly how to deal with pressure, impatient customers, fast-paced environments, and working with all kinds of personalities. It’s not glamorous work, but it builds discipline and work ethic if you take it seriously. One thing I’d recommend to anyone starting their first job is to actually pay attention and learn how businesses operate instead of just watching the clock. Even simple jobs teach communication, time management, and how to handle responsibility.

Also one recommendation would probably be, don’t waste your first paychecks trying to impress people. Save money early and build good habits from the start because that compounds over time. I spent way too much money in my younger years and it's all catching up to me now lol.

Spent all my money on my first paychecks on weed, at the time bitcoin was $150-200 should have been buying that but who had a clue lmao bought one at the time but was so broke I sold it

[RangoWorld]

My first job was working as an agent in costumer support service. I also briefly handled the Social media and Graphic design for the company.

I do recommend working in customer service. It teaches you how to deal with customers, what they are thinking, what kind of complaints come, how to work within the team, how to reply properly on emails, etc.

I had fun while doing that. Pay was not that great. But it was my first job.

[Mastercarder]

Spent all my money on my first paychecks on weed, at the time bitcoin was $150-200 should have been buying that but who had a clue lmao bought one at the time but was so broke I sold it

Hahaha you just described my younger years 100%
Spent it all on weed and trying to impress chicks. Didn't get me far. Also bought a few bitcoins when they were cheap AF and ended up selling them at like $90 each and thought I was Bill Gates. Young and dumb.

Bur I guess we all learn as we get older.

[TheNaturalBoy]

I got my first job in high school working at a hardware store with a friend of mine, but then two months in they randomly said we would be working nights on weekend to help stock. I worked 2 weekends doing the night shift and my friend called me who lived in California and said his parents were flying me out for the summer.

Never showed back up or told anyone there. My friend ended up quitting at the same time too.

Knew at that time, hard labor like unloading trucks and shipment was not for me.

If I was smart I would have started working earlier at like a sno-cone shop or something fun where all of the girls were.

I wish I could’ve started out in a more relaxed environment too hahaha, but unfortunately child labor culture is very normalized in my country, especially in the region where I come from.

Now that I’m living in the city, I realize things are a bit easier and less physically demanding, but sadly, past injuries and years of excessive physical effort left me with constant pain that I pretty much have to ignore if I want to keep working hahaha.

And about girls… damn, I wish I had time to go out with someone or even try to meet someone, but time is scarce, and my face doesn’t help much either hahaha.

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Had my first job working at local grocery store in northwest Illinois, started off as bagger and eventually worked my way up to stocker and cashier. It was around the time I made this account on HF :)

Damn, and tell me, do you work a different job now, or are you still doing something similar? I’ve always liked how the United States has that whole coupon culture hahaha, I wish Mexico had something similar.

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My first job was at a pizza shop. Honestly it taught me more than I expected. You learn pretty quickly how to deal with pressure, impatient customers, fast-paced environments, and working with all kinds of personalities. It’s not glamorous work, but it builds discipline and work ethic if you take it seriously. One thing I’d recommend to anyone starting their first job is to actually pay attention and learn how businesses operate instead of just watching the clock. Even simple jobs teach communication, time management, and how to handle responsibility.

Also one recommendation would probably be, don’t waste your first paychecks trying to impress people. Save money early and build good habits from the start because that compounds over time. I spent way too much money in my younger years and it's all catching up to me now lol.

Awesome, I completely agree. A good job and a healthy work environment really make everything flow better.

Unfortunately, I had to leave a really good formal job some time ago. About four years ago, when I first arrived in this city, I worked as a cashier at a small convenience store. There were tons of customers, the place was tiny, but the work environment was genuinely good.

Sadly, a new manager came in and completely ruined everything. He ended up replacing almost the entire team and got several people fired, including me.

But luckily, sometime later I found out that both he and his favorite employee — who honestly seemed more like his partner than just a coworker — got fired for stealing money. And he himself was demoted because he failed to meet the expectations required to manage the store.

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My first job was working as an agent in costumer support service. I also briefly handled the Social media and Graphic design for the company.

I do recommend working in customer service. It teaches you how to deal with customers, what they are thinking, what kind of complaints come, how to work within the team, how to reply properly on emails, etc.

I had fun while doing that. Pay was not that great. But it was my first job.

Customer service is great — you get to meet a lot of interesting people, learn how to work under pressure, and even though there are difficult customers sometimes, I think it’s actually good for training your patience a bit more and learning not to give in to provocation :3

[Mastercarder]

I wish I could’ve started out in a more relaxed environment too hahaha, but unfortunately child labor culture is very normalized in my country, especially in the region where I come from.

Now that I’m living in the city, I realize things are a bit easier and less physically demanding, but sadly, past injuries and years of excessive physical effort left me with constant pain that I pretty much have to ignore if I want to keep working hahaha.

And about girls… damn, I wish I had time to go out with someone or even try to meet someone, but time is scarce, and my face doesn’t help much either hahaha.

---

Damn, and tell me, do you work a different job now, or are you still doing something similar? I’ve always liked how the United States has that whole coupon culture hahaha, I wish Mexico had something similar.

---

Awesome, I completely agree. A good job and a healthy work environment really make everything flow better.

Unfortunately, I had to leave a really good formal job some time ago. About four years ago, when I first arrived in this city, I worked as a cashier at a small convenience store. There were tons of customers, the place was tiny, but the work environment was genuinely good.

Sadly, a new manager came in and completely ruined everything. He ended up replacing almost the entire team and got several people fired, including me.

But luckily, sometime later I found out that both he and his favorite employee — who honestly seemed more like his partner than just a coworker — got fired for stealing money. And he himself was demoted because he failed to meet the expectations required to manage the store.

---

Customer service is great — you get to meet a lot of interesting people, learn how to work under pressure, and even though there are difficult customers sometimes, I think it’s actually good for training your patience a bit more and learning not to give in to provocation :3

That’s the sad reality with a lot of workplaces unfortunately. A good team and manager can make even a stressful job enjoyable, while one bad manager can destroy the entire environment. Funny how things usually catch up to people in the end though. Replacing good workers out of ego or favoritism almost always backfires eventually.

[Edmond Dantes]

My first job was while I was in high school, I had the opportunity to work 3 months in one accounting firm as accountant, felt really cool to be able to earn my own $

[Maskin]

My first job was in a fast food restaurant. Very stressful and low pay.
I do not recommend but it’s a good entry and reality check to life.

[Mastercarder]

My first job was in a fast food restaurant. Very stressful and low pay.
I do not recommend but it’s a good entry and reality check to life.

Could say the same about the pizza shop I worked at.
But on the bright side, it's always a learning experience I guess.