That First Job: Be a Mentor

My first part time job was selling shoes. I was about 16-years-old.

I lasted 3 months. I didn’t know how to sell. I was let go.

I crossed the mall and applied for a job at another shoe store. “Sure,” I said, “I have experience.”

I was hired, but still couldn’t sell.

This manager took me under his wing. He literally taught me how to sell and also how to upsell.

He even taught me how to fit shoes as well as how shoes where constructed. I was able to use a stretcher to open up the leather to accommodate big toes and bunions. I was able to put different kinds of arches in to ease foot pain.

I worked there about three years and had keys to the store to open up on Saturdays.

As a new crop of kids enter high school, many of those kids will be looking for their first job.

For those who don’t know the ropes, teach them. They need more than just the cash. They need your guidance and the life skills that lead to success.

There is more to selling shoes than selling shoes. There is more to flipping a burger than flipping a burger.

The teen won’t even know the lessons needing to be learned. That is just the naivety of youth.

Take them under your wing. Be a leader. Help them grow and develop.

I am forever grateful to that manager at Murray’s Highgrade Footwear.

He had his flaws yet I remember him fondly. I am grateful for his help with some of mine.

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I am Gary Direnfeld and I am a social worker. Check out all my services and then call me if you need help with a personal issue, mental health concern, child behavior or relationship, divorce or separation issue or even help growing your practice. I am available in person and by video conferencing.

Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW

gary@yoursocialworker.com
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Gary Direnfeld is a social worker. Courts in Ontario, Canada, consider him an expert in social work, marital and family therapy, child development, parent-child relations and custody and access matters. Gary is the host of the TV reality show, Newlywed, Nearly Dead, former parenting columnist for the Hamilton Spectator and author of Marriage Rescue: Overcoming the ten deadly sins in failing relationships. Gary maintains a private practice in Georgina Ontario, providing a range of services for people in distress. He speaks at conferences and workshops throughout North America. He consults to mental health professionals as well as to mediators and collaborative law professionals about good practice as well as building their practice.