Griffs Jobs

After I graduated from High School with no direction or course to
follow, still in shock and emotional pain and disbelief from the loss of
brother I asked my Dad if I could work for his business. He seemed
a bit hesitant at first but did hire me. This was a mistake but not the
worst mistake. I had been ill prepared for any job career path and I felt
I needed to connect with my Dad who had been out of the picture
during my formidable years in Junior High and High School. I spent
the following year working as a Floor Boy and Delivery Driver for my
Dad’s Commercial Print Shop during the day while attending Pasadena
City College at night taking courses to improve my GPA so that I
could apply to a 4-year University. It was during this time working at
my Dad’s Printing Business that I decided I would pursue a career in
printing. This was a mistake. I enjoyed working for my Dad but I know
now my heart was not content to be in the printing business. Working
in the Printing Business was not my passion. My passion was sports. I
did not have any sound career guidance to direct my paths so I pursued
the Print Career Path mainly so I could spend time with my Dad since
I felt the need to be around my Dad. Looking back, I can honestly say
now that picking a career based on what your Dad does is not a wise decision.
It is not a good idea to pick a career to emotional connect with
someone even if it’s your Dad. It will never fulfill or define you. Each
of us must find a job /career that you choose based on your interests,
skills & god given talents.
Whether your job is sweeping floors or being the CEO of a multi-billion
dollar company, just make sure you are following your heart and
not your emotions or trying to be like someone else. Be you and enjoy
being you. I can almost guarantee that if you follow your passion and
talents throughout your working days you will avoid a career meltdown
which I experienced.
I really had not ever thought about a career growing up or been counseled
about vocational testing, counseling, etc. During my 1st real job
after High School I had moved into an Apartment in South Pasadena.
It was first time not living at home. My roommate was a High School
classmate who like me had entered the working world at age 17 instead
of heading straight to college. My schedule was hectic as my job hours
were 6:30am until 3:00pm at the printing company in South Central LA
which was about 30 miles from my apartment in South Pasadena.
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