First Job Series: Matt Appelhanz
First job:
Gofer | Appelhanz Roofing
Age 12 | $5.00/hr
Responsibilities
On the roofs I tore off shingles, carried shingles, rolled out felt paper, cleaned out gutters, and whatever else I was told to do. I would clean the ground around the property and magnet roll the yards. The foreman also had me spend a decent amount of time looking for the elusive left handed roofing hatchet.
Why this Job?
It chose me—in the form of my dad saying, “Get out of bed. You’re going to work.”
Best Memory
Lunchtime every day! It was a 30-minute slice of heaven. Sitting under a customer’s shade tree, with two ham and cheese loaf sandwiches, a banana, cucumbers, two Little Debbie Zebra Cakes and a Mountain Dew.
Life Lesson
It makes me really appreciate the men and women who do the difficult, labor intensive, sometimes sweltering hot, sometimes freezing cold jobs in this world.
Teen Advice
Bring your own pen to fill out applications. Be to work early, not on time. Have a positive attitude and be willing to learn. Be a team player. If you’re not busy, make it look like you are. Leave the cell phone in your pocket with the ringer off.
