Kay Meyer

“I’ve had a lot of ‘dream jobs’ over the years, but that first job – with a regional retailer in my hometown of Waco – will always hold a special place in my heart.”

“I worked at a store that sold everything from jeans to contemporary fashion, shoes, swimsuits, and accessories. A major selling point in seeking the job was getting a discount on clothes. In fact, the store probably earned most of my wages back in sales! Aside from learning that I probably should have been saving my money, important lessons have stuck with me through the years.”

“Pitch in and do what it takes to get the job done; no job is too small. I think I did every job in that store: organized racks, jeans wall, and shoe department; performed inventory, consulted with clients, created window displays, and worked at the cash register, gift wrap, and layaway positions. We all shared the workload. Everyone took their turn in dusting, vacuuming, cleaning toilets, cleaning the refrigerator, accepting shipments, and merchandising within the store.”

“Don’t burn your bridges. You can learn to work with difficult people, whether they are coworkers, managers, or clients. Even after I left this first job I maintained a good relationship with management and eventually became part of the extended staff, picking up hours during peak seasons and sales.”

"These two basic lessons: ‘Pitch In’ and ‘Don’t Burn Your Bridges’ continue to guide me in life – whether I’m working in paid or volunteer positions.”