All News & StoriesWe asked team CCA to reflect on their first paying jobs. Check out our diverse early “careers”!
Skylar, Administrative Assistant
My first paying job was a mother’s helper for a neighbor’s family. I helped her with household work, made sure her son was taken care of, and even got to run errands with them. I did that for quite a few years and really enjoyed the time I spent with their family.
Julie, Program Resource Manager
My first paying job was working at a child care center after school, helping out classroom teachers with end-of-day responsibilities. Now, 16 years later, I am still involved in early childhood education and absolutely love the field and all of the opportunities it has presented to me!
Rosy, Multicultural Family Engagement Specialist
My dad became self-employed in landscaping around the time I was 11 years old. He wanted me to learn what it really meant to earn a dollar, so he paid me to pick up trash along the side of the road. He slowly bumped me up to mulching, planting, mowing, weed whacking, backpack power blowing, trimming bushes, and finally, invoicing/quotes. I became a sort of “jack of all trades” for his landscaping business. It really taught me the value of hard work and showed me that manual labor is not beneath me. I really enjoy mowing my own lawn, mulching, de-weeding flower beds, and all that entails to this day.
Michelle, Community Engagement Specialist
I was 14 when I had my first paying job. I worked as a cashier at our neighborhood grocery store. At the time, I remember being surprised by how easily my mom agreed to let me get a job. Her only condition was not to let my job interfere with my grades. I held up my end of the deal!
Lauren, Family Engagement Specialist
Outside of babysitting, my first paying job was at a local ice cream shop. It was close to home and I could walk there since I was not old enough to drive. I actually really enjoyed scooping ice cream, seeing how happy the little customers were with their ice cream cones, and chatting with my coworkers. One of the funniest memories I had was when we accidentally made butter while attempting to make whipped cream. Apparently, if you forget you are whipping cream, it shoots buttermilk everywhere and turns into butter!
Kristin, Communications and Community Manager
My first paying job was through a paper route when I was in elementary school. I still remember how black my fingers would get from rolling all of those newspapers individually. I guess you could say my communications career started way back then!
Sylvia, Program Resource Navigator
My first paying job was with GFS Marketplace (Gordon Food Service), where I stocked, organized shelves, and cashiered. I have always enjoyed making my “own money”! I would work extra shifts (as many as I could with a work permit) and saved towards getting my first car. Lots of memories! My first paying job taught me that I would not mind working hard to save for future plans and to also spend a little on myself!
Mollie, Executive Director
Aside from babysitting, my first paying job was deep cleaning my high school in the summers – stripping, buffing, and waxing floors during the heat of summer with no air conditioning. It was definitely one of the most physically demanding jobs I ever had. When I smell floor stripper or wax, it definitely takes me back!
Jamie, Family Engagement Specialist
Before I could drive, I was babysitting and cutting neighbors’ lawns. As soon as I got my license, I started working at a local antique shop after school and on the weekends. I loved walking around the store and seeing all the unique items for sale!
Sarah, Community Engagement Specialist
My first job was teaching swim lessons. I had grown up loving swimming and wanting to share that love with others. I started when I was 14 and continued until the COVID-19 shutdown. My students included everyone from infants (mommy and me) to seniors and everyone in between.
Eunice, Multicultural Community Engagement Specialist
My mom used to have summer camp every year, so as soon as it was possible, I was part of the team. I helped by taking care of the young kids, teaching them songs (and making noise challenges, this was my favorite piece), and helping with the logistics part.
