On this day in the year 2000, I started my very first real job. Now, I say real job, because it was my first job with an actual paycheck, and later, benefits and a 401K. I was seventeen, and prior to the job, I was a babysitter. I graduated from high school in June of the same year and went to visit my aunt in Georgia. When I returned home I had two choices: go to college or get a job. I wasn’t ready for college; I wasn’t sure of what I wanted to do and money was tight. I put in a few applications and went on a few interviews, and ultimately Walgreens hired me. I stayed with them for eleven years before moving on. Below is the Walgreens I helped open and began working at on August 18, 2000.

Twenty-six years of working. Twenty-six years of clocking in and out and being supervised and then becoming a supervisor and paying taxes. There have been ups and downs, good jobs and crappy jobs, and plenty of learning experiences. I’m thankful for all of it, both good and bad. Do you remember your first job? If you feel like sharing, please post in the comments below. Have a great day, everyone.