My first job paid me $0 - here’s why I took it
I was 15 years old, and had a break in between my group lesson for figure skating and the public session practice time. I had an hour to kill in between and used to sit aimlessly or chat with my other skating friends until it was our time to skate
But one day I asked the skating director if I could work as a teacher for the intro to figure skating and tots class for free. Why? To get the experience!
It was a sunken hour of my time anyways, waiting in between ice time, and it was a better use of my time to gain an experience and be able to put something on my resume
I did this for two years — and this taught me:
🧑🧑🧒🧒 how to break hard concepts down to kids
💐 patience
👨 communicating with adults
This taught me to maximize my time and look for experiences even if there isn’t one presented. Just ask, the worst they could say is no!
At a young age, I discovered the true value of experience. Working for free might seem counterintuitive, but it allowed me to learn crucial life skills that simply pocketing a paycheck couldn't offer. By taking the initiative to teach figure skating, I experienced first-hand how to adapt complex tasks for younger students. Patience became my ally as I encouraged children to explore their capabilities on the ice, and in communicating with parents, I learned the significance of clear dialogue and feedback. This unpaid role was instrumental in shaping my character and professionalism at such a formative time. Many people overlook opportunities that come without financial reward. However, these moments can offer insights that enhance not only work skills but life experience overall. Volunteering can nurture your passion, build networks, and create a compelling resume, ultimately leading to better job opportunities in the long run.