Maccas: The optimal first job!

Each school day started with roll group at my school. Students were separated into groups each morning (you were in the same group from years 8-12, with peers of all ages). Here the teacher read out the daily school news including job opportunities from the community. When I was finally of working age, the first jobs that were advertised were jobs at McDonalds. I eagerly went home that day and told my parents that I wanted to interview that Thursday!?

My parents were a little confused that I wanted to work at McDonalds. I was athletic and didn’t even eat the food. Not only that, they wondered how I was also going to get to work for each shift. There wasn’t a direct route of public transport, I couldn’t drive myself as I was too young to get my licence and this meant that my parents would have to take an hour of their time to drop me off and pick me up. Nonetheless they agreed to take me to the job interview.?

This was my first job interview ever. I was pretty nervous, being interviewed at a table right in front of all the others interviewees, in front of customers ordering food and other staff that were working (I was so happy my mum decided to stay in the car - how embarrassing if she had come inside with me). I was really put outside of my comfort zone. I wasn’t the most confident person and I really didn’t think it went well. It was over so quickly. Everyone else’s interviews seemed to go for longer and looked more positive than mine.?

I really thought I had stuffed up the interview and reflected on the experience on my way home. I wondered how I could have answered the questions better.??

The next week I got a call to say I was the successful applicant and that I would start my training as soon as I completed the employment paperwork. I was happy, a little confused and my concerns on how I would get to work for each shift made me a little worried. I told my parents and they also couldn’t believe the news. However, I had got the job and I actually wanted to work there. How could they say no??

My parents and I worked out a schedule that would work for us all. McDonalds was also pretty flexible too, which made this situation a lot easier. More work on weekends, not too many late nights and I couldn’t let anyone down!?

I learnt a lot by working at McDonalds for those 4 years. I learnt how to work hard, have fun at work, ask for what I want, stick up for myself, question things when I thought things were wrong, prioritise, build relationships (with both colleagues and regular customers), take feedback, give feedback, learn from my mistakes, admit when I have done something wrong, take intelligent risks, compete, confidence, resilience, communication, organisation and to be reliable. I also experienced a lot of things that I know a lot of people would not have at that age.?

I’m so thankful for everything my first job taught me. It really has helped me to get to where I am today in life and professionally. All the skills I learnt, I learnt them at such a young age. They are also all skills transferable into any industry or occupation.

Throughout school, I was working about 20hrs a week. I was still able to manage good grades (in fact, really good grades) and also do well athletically too.?

I know a lot of people look down at those people who work at McDonalds. Others also do not want to work there. What I can say is that it gave me an enormous leg up in my life. I’m thankful I got this experience at such a young age. It was also a whole lot of fun.?