I remember my first job like it was yesterday. Actually, I can still smell it.
I worked in a movie theater a few miles down the road from my home in a picturesque New England town. I learned to work a cash register for the first time, restocked the candy in the coveted glass case, and prepared the popcorn, liquid butter and all. What I remember most, other than my hardworking mother somehow making time to drive me, was the cleanup: vacuuming the rugs, scrubbing the oil from the popcorn bin, and using a shovel to sweep and scrape the snacks from the theater floor. Some 30 years later, I can honestly say the smell of movie popcorn is still not my favorite.
After months of talking about first jobs with my oldest son, he recently found one. I have also been reading lots of social media posts from area parents trying to help their teens find jobs, both now and during the school year…