An Open Letter To Young Adults Entering The Workforce

Dear Young Adult,

I’ve been in the place you are at and I know what you are feeling. You are starting out on your own and see that the world is your oyster. There are countless opportunities and you can be anything you want… someday. You are also working a part-time, after school job while you are in college. You even know me, I’m your manager.

There are so many things that I want to say to you, yet, I find that I can’t say them, because last time I tried, three of you quit, because you felt degraded. Therefore, I’m going to say it here and pray that some of you will read this and listen.

Your job is important.

It doesn’t matter if you are working in an office or working fast food. Your job is important to society. You were hired because there was a need and I thought you could handle the position.

I can’t hold your hand.

My job is not to watch you do your job every moment that you are there. I have forms to fill out, reports to write, and meetings to attend. It’s not that I don’t care about the job you are doing, but I also have my own. When I train you, I expect you to listen and I expect you to do what you have been trained to do.

Put away your cell phone.

When you are at work, you are on company time. I know it is strange to disconnect for the few hours that you are on your shift, however, trust me when I say, there are things to be doing, and they don’t involve you texting your friends or playing games.

This is a privilege, not a right.

Hear me when I say that you are not entitled to this job. You have to earn it, each and every day you come in to work. You earn it by showing up on time, having someone cover your shift, being honest in your dealings, and working hard while you are here. Some days you have to suck it up and show up, even when you don’t feel like it. Believe it or not, I have to do the same thing.

Give me two weeks notice and stick by it.

I have had countless employees come through this position and I need each and every one of you to remain open. Part of that involves you sticking by your word. By choosing to leave without notice or to give your two weeks and then not stick by it, you are setting yourself up for failure. I can’t stress this point enough. Yes, you are hurting me and causing me to look bad with my managers, but you are also hurting yourself. The choices you make in this position will be the same choices you make when you progress into a full-time job after graduation. Set yourself up to be successful in life and to be a person with strong character. Be someone that I would be happy to write a referral for, because when you put this part-time job on your resume, I will be giving an honest opinion of you.

You’re going to have to make sacrifices.

It’s not always easy to have a job. You have to give up things that you would rather be doing. There are going to be pretty days that you want to be with your friends or Greek events you want to attend. Your perseverance and sacrifice will pay off though when it comes times for you to graduate. You see, doing these things will ensure that I am willing to write you a glowing letter of recommendation and I will bend over backwards to set you apart from your peers. It will also mean that when you go into a job interview after graduation, that you can answer questions such as “Tell me about a time that you wanted to quit, but didn’t” or “If I were to call up your old boss right now, what would they tell me about you?”

I want you to have success in life, but you have to show you want it.

Signed,
Your Manager