First Job Series: Tom Enstrom
First Job:
General Laborer | Oakland Golf Course in Nebraska
Age 12 | $1.00/hr (Federal Minimum Wage at the time)
Responsibilities
I did general janitorial work, mopped floors, signed golfers up for events, put out pin prizes on the course and picked the pins up after events.
Why this job?
I grew up in a very small town—a population of 1,000 people. There weren’t any recognized employers of young people, no fast food places, etc. I hung around the golf course, raking up balls from the creek on the course, selling them to golfers and, therefore, was around the golf club when they needed help—so it just kind of came together.
Best Memory
I was given a lot of responsibility for a kid. I was told what they wanted done. They were interested in end results and I was allowed to determine how to get the job done. I found out I liked to work on my own, to organize tasks and set goals. I also liked working with the public, which led to my next job as a retail clerk.
Life Lesson
If you are given a job to do and you do it, you get a personal feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment. In addition, you may ultimately be rewarded by being offered more responsibility in the future.
Teen Advice
Take the directions given, be punctual, respect others, work hard and see the job through to the end. Don’t just do the job/task, go the extra mile, give 110%.
