10-27-2004, 07:45 AM | #1 (permalink) |
Tilted
Location: Singapore
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How old were you when you had your first real job?
Hi all, this thread is inspired by my situation. I'm 24 and still an undergraduate. I will probably have my first real job at 25 after i graduate next year.
Here in Singapore, the average age for male graduate adults to have his first job is 24-26. The education system is such that, after secondary school (the equailavent of high school, I think), there is 2 years of pre-university called Junior Colleage. Most people would be 18 years of age after finishing this. This is where it gets interesting, the guys get to serve national service, or compulsory conscription to the army, for 2.5 years. It is after the 2.5 years that you get to go to university, finish your 3-4 years degree course and finally join the working force at the grand age of 24-25. That means you can only start to be financially sound around 28 - 30 years old. This seems a bit too late in my opinion. Also, my female friends of the same age group all have 2-3 years of working experience, and their maturity really show through. I'm interested to know the situation over at your side of the world, I'm guessing that the average age might be younger. |
10-27-2004, 07:48 AM | #2 (permalink) |
Junkie
Moderator Emeritus
Location: Chicago
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I had my first job, where I paid taxes at 15 - held several jobs thru college, but after college, at age 21, was when I got my first full time job (and worked ever since -- damn no wonder I'm so tired) Financially sound? I am unfamiliar with the concept...
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Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.
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10-27-2004, 07:52 AM | #4 (permalink) |
Crazy
Location: Pittsburgh
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What do you mean by “real job?” Do you mean full time or the first job that you had to support your self?
I have been working since 16 years old. I had a part time job in a supermarket 15 to 20 hours a week during the school year and full time during the summers. The same in college although at a different store. I was 21 when I graduated college and had the first job that paid for all my expenses. Be for I was 16 and could get working papers I had under the table jobs in the summers starting at 14 years old. |
10-27-2004, 07:59 AM | #5 (permalink) | |
Tilted
Location: Singapore
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Quote:
Well, I meant more of a full time job. The one after your education. Or at least, formal education in school/insitutes |
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10-27-2004, 08:05 AM | #7 (permalink) | |
Crazy
Location: Pittsburgh
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Quote:
Then I was 21. |
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10-27-2004, 08:05 AM | #9 (permalink) | |
Junkie
Moderator Emeritus
Location: Chicago
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Quote:
__________________
Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.
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10-27-2004, 08:05 AM | #10 (permalink) |
Tilted Cat Head
Administrator
Location: Manhattan, NY
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My first job was at 14.... my own company.
my first company corporate job? 16.
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10-27-2004, 08:16 AM | #13 (permalink) |
will always be an Alyson Hanniganite
Location: In the dust of the archives
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I started working at McDonalds when I was 16. After high school, I went into the Air Force.
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"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony "Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt. |
10-27-2004, 08:33 AM | #14 (permalink) |
Psycho
Location: happy place
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First job was at age 15. I started really supporting myself at 18. And imo guccilvr with or without diploma or college education, you can be whatever you want and be financially stable. I have a high school diploma that's it. What I've learned over the years has been through experience..the best teacher.
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10-27-2004, 08:52 AM | #17 (permalink) |
Insane
Location: Michigan
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I started working as a full time developer when I was 17. I'm still with the company (actually, the owners went seperate ways and I stayed with one of them).
Haven't had a real vacation to speak of since I started working and Im 24 years old . |
10-27-2004, 12:47 PM | #18 (permalink) |
Take my hand
Location: Everywhere, but nowhere
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I got my first part-time job at 16 bussing tables. I'm technically still with the restaurant, but I'm at college right now, so I still pick up some hours when I'm home for a weekend.
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10-27-2004, 01:08 PM | #19 (permalink) |
Metal and Rock 4 Life
Location: Phoenix
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Started working 14/15 range have had 3 jobs total. Each lasting a minimum of 2 years. CUrrent is reaching 2.5 year mark.
All 3 I am praised for good work and responsibility of duty and get paid well for it. I am only 21. May as well add I have a highschool diploma and am a Senior in college.
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You bore me.... next. Last edited by Destrox; 10-27-2004 at 01:39 PM.. |
10-27-2004, 01:53 PM | #22 (permalink) |
Cosmically Curious
Location: Chicago, IL
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I started working when I was fifteen as a receptionist in a doctor's office. Through high school I worked at a bakery and a theatre (performing, not movie.) Now in college, I work at Bennigans. Once I graduate I'll let you know about my 'real' job.
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"The world is so exquisite with so much love and moral depth, that there is no reason to deceive ourselves with pretty stories for which there’s little good evidence. Far better it seems to me, in our vulnerability, is to look death in the eye and to be grateful every day for the brief but magnificent opportunity that life provides" -Carl Sagan |
10-27-2004, 02:31 PM | #23 (permalink) |
Tilted
Location: Az
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First jobs were in the summers of my 14th and 15th year work all summer get check week before school starts for 12 weeks of work it was some program for poor kids or something. First real job where I could support myself was when I was about 19.
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10-27-2004, 04:03 PM | #26 (permalink) |
I'm a family man - I run a family business.
Location: Wilson, NC
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15. I got a job while in tenth grade of high school. I wanted money (and more importantly, my car payment wanted money). My parents don't give me anything but (occasionally) a roof to live under, so if I wanted or needed money, I had (and still have) to earn it. Don't feel bad if you've never had a job though. It's no big deal. Just don't do anything stupid and try your best to not piss anyone off.
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10-27-2004, 04:21 PM | #27 (permalink) |
Insane
Location: California
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18, job in the summer of freshman year at college. I worked at Activision playing games all day, i was on Lemony Snicket:A series of Unfortunate Event (comming soon) and Shark Tale PS2 (already out i think) Played Soul Caliber during beaks, Halo during lunch. 60hrs a week at the end but free dinner or lunch.
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10-27-2004, 05:00 PM | #29 (permalink) |
Junkie
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First part-time job at a pub: 16
First "real" job when I was 21. I left college and joined the rat-race for the princely sum of around $6,000 per annum. It's been uphill since then and I now make lots of money. Keep working guys. It gets better, not necessarily easier. Mr Mephisto |
10-27-2004, 05:32 PM | #31 (permalink) |
Crazy
Location: Minnesota
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First Job was at a videogame rental store thing at 16.
I've had a few "career" jobs... I worked at FedEx for three years, thought that was going to be my career... was making good money. I got a better offer from a graphics company, thought THAT was going to be my career, I only worked there for a year. Then I worked construction for two years, missed computers and thought that I needed a degree... Now I'm back in school, worried about what the hell my career is going to be. I shoulda just stuck with FedEx. I'd probably be living in my own house right now if I had, instead of a stupid apartment near campus. |
10-27-2004, 05:48 PM | #32 (permalink) |
Tilted
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13 or 14, I baby sat by about 15 I was mowing yards, and doing yard cleanup and other odd jobs. My first taxable income was at 16 working in a deli, and then at 17 in caterring which I did for about 7 years, the last two or three was full time while attending college full time. By the time I was about 23 or 24 I was a corporate suit and have been working so ever since. I am now almost 38, have a house, and two kids and still work in corporations, but am a LOT better paid then back then!
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10-27-2004, 09:52 PM | #33 (permalink) |
Tilted
Location: Portland, Oregon
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Started at the ol' Dairy Queen at 15, worked on my family's pear orchard before that from the time I was about 7-8, and even though it wasn't steady or 8-hour shifts or anything, it sure felt like a real job. Taught me some hard work as well.
I guess my first real job when I started supporting myself was in college at an archaeological museum/research center, I was 23ish. I'm only now, at age 31, however, feeling like I have any sort of real career, and I've been doing it for four years now. |
10-28-2004, 05:07 AM | #34 (permalink) |
“Wrong is right.”
Location: toronto
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I was seventeen. So was she. Things started to heat up in the back seat of the car and she reached down into my...
Oh I thought you meant something else. First job was at Subway slinging sandwiches at the age of 18. As some have expressed, I wonder if this is what you mean by "real job." As an ALMOST pro musician, I'll never have a real job in the eyes of the majority. Our hours aren't 9-5 daily.
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10-28-2004, 10:35 AM | #35 (permalink) |
Smithers, release the hounds
Location: Guatemala, Guatemala
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13, at parents ice cream shop. While other kids were watching TV or playong Nintendo i was serving ice cream to litte kids and fat women. Those were great times!!!
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10-28-2004, 02:58 PM | #38 (permalink) |
Brooding.
Location: CA-USA
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I was 14 when I got my first legal job. I was doing yard work and odd jobs for money since I was about 10.
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