No Excuses Series: Planning Ahead

Recently, like two days ago I had a chat with my daughters about their upcoming summer jobs. I was talking to one of my friends about it at lunch and he said summer jobs? My kid is still worrying about getting their classes set for the school year…it’s only September and you are worried about a summer job! Beside she has no idea what she wants to do. I said Jim if your kid hasn’t lined up something by Christmas break she is probably out of luck. The good jobs, jobs in the profession they are looking at are filled a few months after school has started.

Both my girls had great internships last summer in their respective industries but I told them this summer is far more important because this is your last summer before your senior year and this is the one that could lead to a full time job.

In case some of you have been under a rock for the past two years the economy is at its lowest point since the great depression practically. Nobody I know was alive then so I can’t even imagine what it was like. But I can see firsthand what we are faced with now. Making sure you have a job is top priority. About six months ago my girls had a few friends over for the weekend and of course I asked then what their plans and goals were and most of them giggled and said I wish I knew. I asked them what they were thinking about what interested them again they giggled and said they didn’t know.

There are certain things parents should start talking to their kids about at an early age, lessons are like a language the earlier you start the more ingrained it will be. Sharing was my first priority as I had twins so we had a rule if you didn’t share it you lost it…it took them a total of one week to grasp the concept. The second thing I taught them was about smoking not only was it something that could harm them but all the people around them. It was the easiest, quickest way to ruin your life. The third thing was what interests you? From art to music to sports to animals what are the things in life that light your fire. As they got older I said start to think about professions that match your interests you will be far more successful and much happier if you are doing something you enjoy.

Your first job certainly won’t be your last but the work ethic you develop will follow you and last a lifetime. Work hard, work late, work often, as the saying goes nothing pays off like hard work. When you finish reading this blog make a list of your interests see what jobs coincide and start sending your resumes out for next summer or if you have graduated well I shouldn’t have to be telling you this.


Bill Barnett
CEO