When I was 16, I got my first job at McDonald’s. I think I learned more at that job than I have at any other.

Getting a part-time job was the first unit we studied this year in Personal Finance. Memories of that first job cooking French fries and sweeping the lobby came flooding back to me when my students talked about their summer jobs. Funny thing, even though it was 40 years ago for me, we all learned the same lessons. My students shared with us in class that they learned:

• Time management skills
• Responsibility
• Customer service
• Value of money
• Listening and following directions

These life-long skills will serve them well as employees in any career field. The work ethics built today in the few hours a week stocking shelves or watching kids swim, earning minimum wage and juggling homework and fun with work schedules, are the foundation for their future career success.