Experience is often valued because of the lessons prior jobs have theoretically provided us with. While hearing about those lessons isn’t a replacement for actually experiencing it, we thought it would be very helpful to create a space where sharp and generous members of the community can come together to share stories and lessons learned at prior jobs for the benefit of others.

Sarah Depasquale

I fell in love with Bartending from the moment I walked behind the bar. The chaos of a busy shift, the people, the stories, the hustle, all had me hooked from day one. I have learned so many lessons behind a bar that its hard to pin down one. Did bartending teach me how to do a million things at one time? Yes, I can multitask like second nature and often times am bored if I have just one thing going on at a time. Read more>>

Jacqueline Drees PT, DPT, COMT

I took my first job out of grad school working for a large, nationwide physical therapy company and spent five years with them before changing course. I had been in school for so many years prior and I was so excited to finally be making a salary that could cover my expenses and newly accrued student loans. I learned so many good and bad lessons during that time and I will forever be grateful for those experiences. Read more>>

Chris Hanson

Communication is key. This is a foundation for me how I conduct myself with my clients. I’ve worked jobs where the wording for invoices to clients are ambiguous and it caused a lot of issues with the billing schedule, if they were going to continue to use the services or issues with others not making the requested changes for the creative the way the client wants them. I strive to be upfront about the cost and billing and to make sure the client and I are on the same page for any adjustments that are needed for their project. Read more>>

Catherine Messina

The most important lesson I learned was actually before my first job, but it has truly shaped every part of myself. No one is a mind reader, and you have to ask for your needs. You have to let any sort of fear of imposing or your ego go, and just state clearly what you desire while something can still be done (not after the fact). The worst that you can hear is a no. And even then, the no might be for now, not forever. This belief has been the sole reason my dance, choreographic, and teaching career has taken off. I have made my dreams known to those I wish to worked with, and that helped me find my niche of those that did give the coveted “yes!’ Read more>>

Terese Brown

When I interned at Goldman Sachs & Co., I remember admiring our Managing Director.She was always dressed like a boss and to me it was so bad ass– I wanted to be like her. I remember speaking to her one day and she told me that I didn’t dress like the other interns, I dressed really nicely and she loved that about me. With that, she shared this gem with me: “Don’t dress for where you are currently stationed in life, dress for the woman you want to become.” Read more>>

Osay Muse

Working as an IT Business Analyst has helped me generate a lot of ideas that help with the business side of being artist. One of the responsibilities I had was in the area of Digital Marketing. I was able to learn about running email campaigns and how that’s still the best form of marketing for sustaining long term fans who are committed and follow what I do. I worked with applications like Oracle Eloqua and learned how utilize tools like that, which help to set up marketing campaigns to folks who subscribe to email list. This was a big help when setting up my website osaymuse.com in making sure I included a place for people to subscribe. Read more>>

Cherika Hart-Ratchford

Macys was the place that I learned the basic of real customer service. We were trained to provide every customer with outstanding customer service. There days that customers would get upset, loud, and disrespectful. We were trained not to tolerate it but we also knew how to respond. In retail, it’s a fast pace so most customers are not patient. I learned how to multi-task with customer service and how to either complete a sale rather they were purchasing then or coming back to purchase. Read more>>

Jessica Niznik

When I was a teen I took culinary in high school for two years. The first year we just did labs daily and learned about safety and sanitation mostly. The second year we we able to intern at various restaurants and hotels. This was one of the biggest learning experiences for me even to this day. I actually got hired at two of the business I interned for. Read more>>

Calesta Ahola

Outside of a few years as a full time DJ, I spent most of my adult life balancing a regular full time job with DJing on the weekends. As tiring as it can be, I’m grateful because I have learned so much of my discipline and organizational skills from my “day jobs”. A lot of times, I see other creatives struggle with the business end of music- promotion, marketing, scheduling, etc. Even something as small as returning an email in a decent amount of time can be the difference between a new residency or a burnt bridge. Read more>>

Susan Thompson

As a 30 year educator – I have learn soooo many things, with many different lenses. Classroom teacher, theatre teacher, librarian and principal. The one consistent thing from all the vantage points is this – truth growth comes from paradigm shifts – these don’t happen without life experiences – UNLESS you are in a creative process – your brain (I am big into brain health etc) makes connections while doing creative work much like when the brain faces experiences which challenge the normal of thinking – the “safe” way of thinking. Read more>>

Yasir Waqaar o

Regardless of customer’s temperament maintain control of the situation. Reassure the customer you are there to help them not be an adversary. I worked in satellite communications tech support. Customers call in for activation or system help. They are under pressure and want immediate results because a show is in progress. The screen is blank or have the wrong video. Read more>>

Carlos Spencer

Always be patient, but when the time is right, assert yourself without hesitation. Before photography/videography, I worked in the restaurant industry as a server, a bartender, a kitchen grill master, (you name it!) and I’ve always had to show patience when it comes to preparation of things for our guest and move quickly to prove them when they were ready. I apply those same attributes to my work with people in everything I do, especially when I have people behind the lens. Read more>>

Heather Tyack

The most important lesson I received from my 23 years as a bartender/server, was learning to read humans and their behaviors, and then navigate accordingly. Being a dog trainer has more to do with teaching the humans what to do, and what not to do, more so than the dogs. When I started my business, I continued to bartend. Just like anyone, I needed to prove myself by working hard at my craft and not being so concerned about making money right away. Read more>>

Bobby Harris

One of my prior jobs was for a small family owned business. It was a great experience because I was able to get the inside look into a successful small business design. While being a successful business, there was one big issue that consequently contributed to the most important lesson I have learned. That lesson would be to develop processes within your business before starting your business. The company that I worked for didn’t necessarily have structured processes in place when I first began and this led to nothing but frustration from employees and the owners. Read more>>

Shaka Judah

Intentional Self reflection is a fundamental key to living a higher quality if life Read more>>

Gary Levitt

As a touring indie musician I learned the art of marketing and promotion. Little did I know at the time that these skills getting my band booked and promoted would pretty much be the same skills needed to promote our Apps with Future Moments. Read more>>

Leslie Kohlmeyer

I have been very lucky to have had great leaders. I still keep in touch with at least four of my former bosses. I have had great role models in this aspect of life. Learning how to lead by example, to dig in and do the work alongside those I employ, and give constant and constructive feedback are a few examples of things I have learned. Never ask anyone to do a job, you wouldn’t do. Never give only criticism, always offer just as many compliments. Read more>>

Sarah Johnson

From age 16, I was thrown into management roles – I had no idea what I was doing! I had to learn lots of things on the fly – especially being in the restaurant industry. I would have to walk up to tables, after they had finished eating their entire meal, and hear about how they didn’t enjoy their dinner. I learned how to deal with confrontation face to face and with compassion and understanding, but also with a business-mind. I would want the customers to return and feel “heard”, but I didn’t want the company I worked for to lose money or be scammed. Read more>>

Grayling Roberson

I have learned that my time line is not a accurate time especially when doing new projects. Read more>>

Ronsha Brown

To never give up on your goals in life. Read more>>