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Caps Off is a biweekly article of my personal experience as a consumer  before and after college.

  ”…I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their  skin but by the content of their character…. "

Excerpt

from MartinLutherKing.HaveADream Speech,1963                                                                                

“The one thing that remains constant is change. For several years, I have listened to statistics stating the average American will change their career at least ten times in their lifetime”   

                                 -Caps off!: Graduating Class of ‘1997’

“My first job was working at Eckerd Drugs store in Lighthouse Point Florida , as a salesperson and cashier. With the years of training and assistance I received from my parents, grandmother, and teachers I was able to work with little or no supervision. From infancy to adolescence I could not have predicted the outcome of my youth….”           

                         Caps Off!:My First, First Job or First Job

Caps Off!: To-Do-List vs. Table of Contents

I continued throughout middle school to do different jobs such as help my father campaign for City Commissioner in my hometown. With the help of relatives I passed out fliers, stood on corners with campaign signs, not only did I help my father,I also had the opportunity to attended campaign meetings. My father was the type of dad who believed in empowerment ; he believed in giving me the tools that he knew I would need to be successful.One particular occasion, for my  eighteenth birthday I wanted a car just in time for my senior year, instead, he takes me to a polling booth to register to vote. In addition to helping my father, I  continued to help my grandmother who was a vocational chef at the time;occasionally, I helped her cater events for coworkers fill in her lesson plans. For the other times my grandmother required assistance, I help her make cakes, pies, and pizzas for special events. After, middle school, I attended the public high school in my community. While under close adult supervision, from elementary to middle school, I didn’t have a to-do-list because the events were already  outlined. As a result, I had only to follow the outline. My freshmen year in high school was when I began to make to-do-lists.From the to-do-list, I learned to follow through by checking off each item as I accomplished each task. In other words, my to-do-list was list of task I wanted to accomplish for the full four years while in high school. My to-do-list consisted of tasks I knew was obtainable. In making my to-do-list I gave each task on the list a certain amount of time to be accomplish. Likewise, my to-do-list had to line up with my high school curricula and requirements for graduation. A sample of my high school to-do-list read as the following:

                 Maintain a B plus average or higher

                        Study at least 2 hours a day

                        Prepare homework each night

                         Join at least 2 clubs

                         Volunteer in the community

                         Find a part time job junior year

                          Senior year buy a car

Each task on the list was obtainable and to be completed within four years; I would review the to-do-list at beginning and end of each year. Yet, on the other hand, the to-do-list was subject to revision at the beginning of each new school year as classes became more difficult.  The to-do-list was a set of task I established before I entered high school. The task on the to-do-list was not a straight line, as an adolescence I did have numerous distractions; however, the to-do-list was a  standard set for myself to be achieved for duration my of high school year. At the same time each school year and each class my teachers would introduce new textbooks along with course outlines.Ultimately,during each class, my teachers would pass out textbooks and outlines at the beginning of the course and ask students to familiarize themselves with the table of contents as well as become familiar with the chapters in the book. As I went through the process of maturation, my personal table of contents began to unfold. I did not have a specific book handed to me with the details of events that would occur to me over the course of the next four years. Instead, what I did have was a blue book called the Code of Conduct that contained information on how I should behave. The Code of Conduct had its own table of contents which included detailed information about dress code, grade policies, tardies, and truancies. After my teacher would review the Code of Conduct, I had to take the book home which had to be signed by my parents, also had to be returned  back to the teacher by a specific time for a grade. In many instances with the table of contents located at the front of most books and a course outline in my hand, I was able to surmise of what to expect from my teachers, and each class I attended. Meanwhile, the table-of-contents could have not prepared me or any other student for the set of social events or socialization that occurred each day while trying to accomplish  each task on the to-do-list. Furthermore, I did not have a manual on how to handle peer pressure, rejection from peer groups, or adult situations. Unlike the to-do-list I made before entering high school, I had no specific book with the table-of-contents to prepare me for the socialization process I encountered between classes. Over the next four years, as the school year progress my own personal table-of-contents began to evolve. Initially, upon entering high school had I been given a book or manual on the socialization process, then my personal table of contents would have read as the following:

Age of Maturation………..

Grade levels 9, 10, 11, &12………

Memories: Field trips, Clubs& Organizations………

Graduation Class of ‘1990’………

Future plans……

Caps Off II

July 2008

Caps Off! : Graduating Class of ‘1997’

In 1997, at the age of 27, I graduated from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University with an Associate of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in Secondary Education. Prior to the day of graduation, I had not made specific detail plans as to how I would support my life style after graduation. I was tired, my funds were low, and my total focus was on completing my degree program. With my future holding uncertainty, family and friends questioning if I was going to ever graduate these were the events that set the stage for my graduation.  It was brought to my attention by a family member that I could apply for a teaching position in my hometown; however, it was not discussed in full detail.

With much anticipation, on April 25^th, 1997, I walked across the stage at Leon County Civic Hall with family and friends present  with one chapter of my life coming to a close and the other holding uncertainty. From my senior year in high school, I have compared, viewed, and thought of my life as chapters in a book, constantly, writing, revising, and editing, new chapters each day. Therefore, it was only natural for me to keep with tradition, “Graduating Class of 1997"was just like another chapter in a book closing but the only difference there was little room left for revision. While writing this article, I thought about my drama class in high school and remember my drama teacher quoting an anonymous quote “all the world is a stage and you only get one dress rehearsal.” How apropos that a anonymous quote would began another chapter in my book .  I returned home with no job prospects, I slept on a couple of floors like a dislocated college undergraduate ; I did some odd jobs, eventually landing a sales position in our town mall. At the time of landing the sales position, I felt that working in the mall had nothing to do with my degree ,except learning to effectively communicate with the public, and that had everything to do with my degree from the public speaking course I took at FAMU to giving presentation and conducting seminars in dormitory where I reside before moving off campus. Presentation! it was, it has been and still is today about how I (you) presented myself (yourself.)  I stop being upset when I realized my first job was in sales; subsequently, all other jobs I held thereafter were in sales. Slowly, it started to add up but it took time and patience which very few college undergraduates have when funds are low and rent is due. Since graduation, I have hurdled many obstacles at times reciting my University alma matta,”FAMU, FAMU, oh how I love thee college of love and charity we will fight whatever the battle maybe…”chapter, after chapter the battle has been many different obstacles but one thing that remain constant is change. Veritable, in today’s job market one must be willing to be flexible and a MVP. As I sit here writing this article, I can honestly write, I have had numerous obstacles and makeovers from hair makeovers, cosmetic makeovers, job makeovers, to home makeovers some changes noticeable and others more subtle. The one thing that  remains constant is change. For several years, I listen to the statistics stating that the average American will change their career at least ten times in their lifetime. As I embark on a new career,  I  join the average American with a new career that requires compiling all of my years of education, training and work experience to apply the principles learned and taught to me to  exploring a new career as Consumer Affairs Consultant, Sales and Service Manager.

                                           (Caps  Off! “Class of 1997’”)

July 2008

CapsOff:My first, first job or first job

“The one thing that remains constant is change. For several years, I have listen to statistics stating the average American will change their career at least ten times in their lifetime”—                                                                                                    Graduating Class’97

From infancy to adolescence, I could not have predicted the changes I would endure in my youth nor the direction or path to follow. Eventually, by some act of faith I was able to adapt the changes, make mistakes, and learn from my mistakes. I learned to be implacable and intransigent by making mistakes. For example, I learned not to become overwhelmed by surroundings and not allow my surroundings to dictate, to limit, or determine my personal growth. The morals and values that are embedded in me today were taught to me at a young age. Robert Fulghum’s states it best in his book titled All  I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten:

                     Share everything

                      Play fair

                     Don’t hit people

                     Put things back where you found them

                     Clean up your mess

                     Don’t take things that aren’t yours…

                    …Wash your hands before you eat…

Many of the lessons I learned in kindergarten to elementary school were a precursory to the values and lessons I learned at home. Additional lessons I learned from my parents and grandmother were a reinforcement of the values and morals I learned in school. For instance, my first, first job was helping my father in his office. My job when I would visit my father at his office was to photo copy and staple his files in order. One time in particular, I visited my father while he was planning a presentation for his employer. On this particular day he had to prepare a presentation to be completed by the end of the week. Unkowningly,attentively waiting for my arrival at his office was my father; as I entered his office he handed me a stack of papers already sorted and numbered. After he handed me the papers, he gave me directions as to what he wanted me to do with the papers. Unaware of the job he had waiting for me, the large job order startled me of course, at six years of age, I was oblivious to what was going on but I knew it was important by the tone in his voice. I listened vaguely because of the long day at school and long drive to his office caused me to be incoherent at certain times in the day. From his conversation, I comprehended that he wanted so many copies of each paper and he wanted them collated. At the time I did not know what collated meant until my father looked at me sternly and said “stapled.” He then proceeded to give me directions again and explained what collated meant. Without hesitation, after giving me explicit directions, he walked me down the hallway to a narrow passage with stairs. At the end of the stairs was a copy room; as my father and I entered the copying room to the right was a large white Xerox machine and a long brown table straight in front of us near the exit door. He placed the stack of papers on the brown table in order the  he wanted them collated. Before leaving the copying room my father demonstrated how to use the copying machine with certainty and clarity;he knew I would be able to complete the job. He then restated  firmly to me not to leave the room until the job was done. At the age of six,I thought he had lost it  and was being unrealistic. A few minutes after he left the copying room, I did as he asked but not in the order he asked. Instead of making copies of his presentation first, I made copies of my hands, my face, my head, and I even hopped my butt on the copy machine. The theory or premise I used was I wanted to see if I could make perfect copies. After my personal copies, I commenced working on his presentation until I came to the collating part; suddenly,the papers started to fly everywhere. An unusual predicament I had gotten my self into, I was  so scared from the papers flying eveywhere ;I ran up the stairs went back to my father’s office and told him I forgotten how to collate. Seemingly annoyed, he walked me back down the stairs showed me how to photo copy and staple the papers. Finally, late in the day with help of my parents the job was completed. I learned that day how to use a copy machine, what collating meant, and not to be afraid to ask for help when you make mistakes. My first, first job was in my fathers office. Although, I did not always receive a pay check I gained a valuable learning experience.

 A year later after my first, first job, my parents relocated to SouthFlorida, I entered a new elementary school and had to re-adjust and make new friends. In the after school program of the new elementary I joined the Girl Scouts. In the Girl Scouts, I learned not to be afraid of rejection. As part of of the Girl Scouts fundraising projects, I would sell cookies. Both my aunt and I would sell cookies on the weekends in front of grocery stores as well as we went door to door selling cookies. Being a Girl Scout was not easy and selling Girl Scout cookies was not an easy task. I was easily intimidated by adults; often I became easily discouraged when I was not reaching sale goals set by troop leaders. Reluctant to give up, I continued to sell cookies. With the assistance of troop leaders, I was able to sell enough cookies to help my troop. As pre teen I did several jobs; I did not always receive monetary gain from the different jobs,however, the values and morals that were instilled in me from the jobs have followed me through adulthood. Today, I can still apply many of the lessons I learned to my life. One of the most valuable lessons I learned came from my grandmother. At the beginning of each school year my grandmother would give my aunt and I a hundred dollars each to towards school supplies and clothing. The hundred dollars I received came from assisting my grandmother in cleaning apartments; I was responsible for cleaning the base boards and sweeping out cabinets. I learned from her “something worth having is something worth working to accomplish” and if you do a good job ,eventually ,your hard work will  be rewarded.

The lessons I learned from my jobs during my adolescence were the following:

I learned not to be afraid to ask questions,

I learned not to procrastinate,

I learned not all change is bad,

and something worth having is something worth working to accomplish.

My first job and official pay check came from working as a salesperson and cashier at Eckerd Drug's Store in Lighthouse Point Florida.The training and assistance I received as a pre teen up into my adolesecence prepared me to be able to work with little supervision.

From infancy to adolescence I could not have predicted the outcome of my youth…