My First ever job

I started my first ever job at United Airlines in Houston, TX over the summer of 2016 as a temporary ramp agent. I was fortunate to receive a call from United to work and to help out the full-time ramp agents over the summer and it was an amazing learning experience! Every since I was a kid, I always wanted to work in the aviation industry in an office or to become my lifetime dream of becoming an airline pilot. I knew that I had to do all I can to make this happen!

Prior to my job with United, I never really had a job. I only volunteered at the Northeast Louisiana Food Bank and was helping my mom (now a retired teacher), by getting her classroom ready for the upcoming school year. I never really had time to work after school because of band activities and I knew that it would be hard on me and on my school work schedule. After I finished college at LSU, I was ready to work! I was ready to give it all I've got ! From the summer prior to my junior year in 2013, I have been applying to companies in varies industries and even my favorite industry, aviation. I have applied to Delta, Southwest, American, and United and then one day in March 2016, I was fortunate to receive a call from United to work and to help out the full-time ramp agents over the summer and it was an amazing learning experience !

During the month of March, I had to make a few trips from my hometown in Monroe, LA to George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, TX to sign paperwork, have an interview, and an orientation. It was stressful getting to Houston, but it was worth it because I knew I would get the job! I passed all the requirements for the job such as a background check and physical strength test which was another trip back to the airport. I can say that marching band at LSU came in handy for my physical and strength test because I knew how to use my arms and legs! One day, I received a call from HR and I was jumping up and down for this temporary opportunity ! Not only did I get my first job, but my first job came out to be in my favorite industry! I had to go back to the airport to take pictures for my United Airlines badge and my IAH airport badge in which I officially became an employee!

On Monday, June 6, 2016, not only was I nervous, I was excited! I had two weeks of training. The first week consisted of classroom training. We had to learn the terminology based on airport codes (ICAO), ID badges, safety regulations, parts of the airplane, how to load and unload baggage and cargo, using communication devices (cones) to marshall and wing-walk the plane while communicating with pilots upon pushback and push-in, and we had homework just like school! The second week consisted of OJT, on-the-job training. First, I got to experience how people worked in the bag room. I absolutely loved every moment of it ! There would be bags coming off these pulleys from the ticketing counter and the bags would make it way on the conveyor belts. We would then scan the bags and put them into the luggage carts to be carried onto the planes. The second half dealt with going outside on the ramp and doing what the job mainly consist of, loading and unloading luggage from the luggage carts into the aircraft. It got off to a great start, but I had a setback. I injured my back while loading luggage into an Airbus A320 bound for Los Angeles (LAX). I was put on light duty by the doctor who worked for the United employee's doctor's office located in the airport. I had work the bag room using a scanner to scan all the luggage for certain flights. I was devastated and I didn't think I would make it the whole summer...the heat, the heavy lifting, etc, but I never gave up and I kept pushing for more and more! I have heard horror stories about people passing out and possibly passing away, but I didn't let that ruin my summer ! I finally made it after hard work and determination ! After the third week at United, I was put on full-duty and I worked outside the whole time for the next seven weeks in 110-degree weather and let me tell you, it was ten degrees hotter in the compartments where we loaded the luggage and mail. I had to withstand many cuts, but hey, I am dedicated and that is how I made the band at LSU and was able to keep my job at United! Never give up under any circumstance!

I absolutely enjoyed meeting new people and the people I've met are now my friends! It doesn't matter how old my co-workers were, all that mattered is if you build a strong relationship with them, they will support you no matter what! I also built a strong relationship with one of my leads and some full-timers. They were very supportive and they taught me stuff that wasn't even taught in class. I have learned so much under their leadership and not only about the things that go on in the aviation industry but also in life outside the industry. Every one of them had their own stories to tell and I was like undercover boss, I wanted to know more about them! On Saturday, August 13, 2016, I received my certificate of employment from United and to this day, I look back on how awesome this job was!

I conclude this story by telling you all to go and get what you like ! I want recruiters to know me and that when you work hard and fail, you will succeed! I have failed on my job, but I got back up and got what I want through blood, sweat, and a few tears, which made my strength enhance and I was able to finish the job ! You should hire me based on my hard work, dedication, and interpersonal skills! I will give it my absolutely best ! I always say, if you motivate yourself and organized, you are capable of motivating others and you will see positive outcomes in the organization.