First Job Series: Aaron Jones

First Job: Chief Weed Eater and Push Mower | Moore and Sons Mowing

13 | $7.50 per hour

Why did you choose this as your first job?

“I loved being outside and enjoyed the rewarding visual of a nicely mowed lawn!”

What memory pops into your head about your first job?

“On the way to my first mowing job, my boss Wayne Moore was telling me that I needed to watch out for the area rugs that were at the front entry of each building. He told me that if I ran the mower over the top of the rug, it would get caught in the mower and ruin the rug. Forty-five minutes into this job I had a huge smile on my face as I mowed each area Wayne had asked me to (I felt like I was really making an impact!) and I was taking the mower across a sidewalk to my final mowing assignment. That sidewalk happened to have one of those area rugs, and as I was going over the sidewalk, I looked over and saw my boss frantically waiving his hands! It was at that point that I heard something loud wrap up into the mower. I had run over the area rug—the very rug he had warned me about before we got there! Wayne informed me that those rugs were $65 each. I was fortunate enough that Wayne still paid me for a day’s wages as I think the cost of the rug outweighed my first day’s labor.”

What life lesson did you learn from this job?

“I learned how to work hard and on purpose. This job set the course for my career in the lawn and landscape industry. I remember always being tired riding home from our last mowing property of the day, but it was a very rewarding feeling. I was making money and it was visually rewarding.”

What advice would you give to a kid starting their first job?

“Get your foot in the door in a company/industry you find rewarding. Keep your head down and WORK HARD! Be consistent and don’t complain or cause drama. Your hard work will be noticed and appreciated. Think about how you can make the biggest impact in your role and always think ahead, without being told: “What could I be doing right now to push the needle in a positive direction?” Associate yourself with positive people within the company/industry—find someone that does your job really well and not only emulate them, but also learn from them.”