What’d You Do for Money in College?

One day at work a handful of co-workers and I got into a conversation that soon turned humorous when one co-worker asked, “So, what’d you do for money in college?” There was instant giggling because the question sounded scandalous. Suddenly, we all started sharing different stories about our experiences working at part-time jobs before getting into full-time positions. A handful of us had done internships, one person had an interesting story about dressing up in a costume for kids’ parties, another worked at an amusement park, and I started thinking about my time as a childcare provider, office intern for a local magazine, and finally my position as an office temp. The grind through college wasn’t an easy one. But now I can really appreciate that time in my life of juggling multiple jobs, and working through school. Each position helped me grow, taught me a lot about myself, and how to work with other people. When I was a freshman in college my parents didn’t want me to work because they wanted me to focus on school, and I remember my father saying, “Don’t get desperate for money and start doing something like hitting the strip club.” I wasn’t insulted because I know he was joking, but there are women and perhaps some men, that may be stripping to pay their way through college. While I wouldn’t recommend that option, I judge no one. College is expensive and if you can find a way to pay for it that isn’t illegal or putting yourself or anyone else in danger, do what you have to do, I guess.