At sixteen, children start experiencing new things. When most people think about sixteen, they think about getting a driver’s license. When I think about sixteen, however, I think about getting my first job. I have experienced many new things throughout this and have learned a lot of new skills. I have learned how to manage my time, not to judge anyone, and to be more outgoing.

I have always managed my time, but this year has really tested that. Because I got a job, I had to give up a sport- cheerleading. I enjoyed cheering, but my job means a lot to me. Now, between homework and work, I am always busy. I typically work five days a week for five or more hours. After working I come home and work on any homework. Using this method, I rarely have missing assignments. I have a study hall during seventh period, which is very helpful when I have homework in multiple classes and work that night. Time management is an important aspect in everyone’s life, but another very important aspect is not being judgemental.

‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’ is a popular saying that nearly everyone knows. From my experience, I would recommend living by it. I have been taught by society that if someone has tattoos, is of color, has many piercings, etc., that I should not socialize with them. This view is right some of the time, but most of the time, it’s not. At work, I have to be nice to everyone. Not everyone is too nice to me. Some people, who look as if they have plenty of money and a nice family, are the most rude people I have met. People with tattoos, piercings, etc., are always the ones to ask me how my day is and tell me to have a good day. It isn’t fair that they are given a bad reputation. One girl that I work with has multiple tattoos. I have never had a conversation with her, but she always smiles and asks how I’m doing. I have learned that even though some people may not look like society’s idea of ‘perfect’, they shouldn’t be judged. I was raised to cower away from people with tattoos. I was told that they are ‘trashy’. I was taught that people of color would harm me. Taking this job has taught me to be much more open-minded and less judgemental. I think a big part of why I learned this was because I was learning to become more outgoing.

Being outgoing is a huge part of working. Everyone at my workplace makes talking to them a lot easier. My coworkers are some of the nicest people I’ve met. Many of them have told me that if I ever need help, they will always be there.  One of my coworkers even called me on my first day to see how I was doing. Not only are my coworkers nice, but most customers are too. I didn’t make much conversation when I first started. Now, I ask how their day is and make small talk. At a younger age, I was the most shy child. I would never speak to anyone I didn’t know. I wouldn’t answer questions in class. Now, I’m meeting new people every day. My job has helped me open up in many different ways.

At first, I was stressed out from getting a job. So much new information was being thrown at me, and I was meeting so many new people. Now, I am so thankful for that. I have learned many new and valuable lessons. People see getting a license as the good side of being sixteen and getting a job as the bad side. I would disagree with this view. I would hope that everyone’s first job would be as great as mine, and they would learn all of the lessons that I have learned.