It was a hot summer day after a challenging school year, and I was about to start my new summer job as an apprentice barber. While most of my friends went to camp to play sports, I wanted to spend my summer working and learning a trade. On my first day at the barbershop, I was nervous that I would not succeed. I felt my heart racing and my palms sweating as I mumbled under my breath, introducing my 15 year old self to the owner. The owner, unexpectedly, handed me my uniform and directed me to wash the windows and sweep the floors. As the day progressed, a feeling of confusion and frustration came over me. There I was standing with a broom in my hand, wondering if my whole summer would be spent sweeping up locks of hair instead of learning how to style them.
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When I returned to work that second week, I quickly completed my tasks of maintaining an orderly environment and eagerly observed the stylists perform their craft. As the weeks progressed, the owner was impressed with my level of motivation and determination. He promoted me to operate the cash register and started teaching me how to cut hair. This small but valuable lesson taught me that if I was patient and stayed on course, every aspect of any experience could be built upon to reach an ultimate goal.
Throughout my life, I have never been a stranger to hard work and responsibility. Growing up with a widowed mother and four younger sisters forced me to mature rapidly. I stepped into the role of a father figure in the household: being there for my sisters, and helping my mother while simultaneously coping with my father’s death. These experiences allowed me to appreciate time and helped me learn how to find balance in my life between school, work, and helping my family. In turn, these qualities were constantly tested and employed in the
When I returned to work that second week, I quickly completed my tasks of maintaining an orderly environment and eagerly observed the stylists perform their craft. As the weeks progressed, the owner was impressed with my level of motivation and determination. He promoted me to operate the cash register and started teaching me how to cut hair. This small but valuable lesson taught me that if I was patient and stayed on course, every aspect of any experience could be built upon to reach an ultimate goal.
Throughout my life, I have never been a stranger to hard work and responsibility. Growing up with a widowed mother and four younger sisters forced me to mature rapidly. I stepped into the role of a father figure in the household: being there for my sisters, and helping my mother while simultaneously coping with my father’s death. These experiences allowed me to appreciate time and helped me learn how to find balance in my life between school, work, and helping my family. In turn, these qualities were constantly tested and employed in the