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.
Ludovica Giusti

I learned that if I didn’t treat my current circumstance as a “treat” for my future I’d lose the current one and I probably never have the future one either. Invest in your present to reap in your future. So any job or any skillset, treat it as something that is going to favor you in what you really want to do in the long run. Master everything you do, be a Master at everything you do, Read more>>
Nicholas Hopper

Attention to detail. From my time in USMC boot camp, to the numerous hours spent in labs with a Science book open, metaphorically speaking, “The devil is indeed in the details.” For the most part, people only see the end result of a successful product or service. People rarely, if ever see all of the previous amounts of small failures, small mistakes, trial and error, and vast amounts of practice involved to generate said product or service. Thus, to optimize efforts, be detailed with items such as units of measurement, decimal points, dates/events, and especially time. Read more>>
Jane Powers

The most important lesson I had in a job that has helped me as a business owner today is treat others the way you want to be treated. When there is a lack of respect and leadership, your team will fall apart. I have been mistreated in most of my jobs and I never want others to feel the way that I felt. I believe that success comes from the top-down. When you have a strong leader that wants to help others succeed, then the entire team succeeds. Read more>>
Agustina Cedraschi

I was recently offered a lead role in a production of an Off-Broadway show. I was excited and thankful for this opportunity to come along, and so proud of myself for finally feeling I was doing exactly what I needed to do to get callbacks and parts in this industry. I celebrated my win and started to consider the offer. But there was just something off about it. It didn’t feel right. The contract, the script, the project did not excite me, and I couldn’t pinpoint what it was. Read more>>
Maria Otanes

When I was promoted to a Sous Chef, I had greater responsibilities that included managing my team on a daily basis. Switching from being a cook to a managerial position was a great learning experience. Being a young, female manager in a male dominated industry, came with its own set of challenges. Initially, some of my team members did not respect me or followed my instructions. Moving forward, I wanted to help and also learn from them so that we can both work towards our goals. Read more>>
Arezu Sohn

Prior to Real Estate, I worked practicing Acupuncture and Asian Herbal Medicine. I healed people in a wholistic way, treating the whole person rather than a specific symptom. I learned to listen to people and really see them. Learning to listen and observe people, as well as nurture them, gives me great insight into what a client is looking for and anticipating their needs. Read more>>
Tammy & Dennis O’Bannon

For myself (Tammy) the most important thing that I learned is customer service, from all my years of bartending and being a server is definitely what has helped our business thrive. I love interacting with everyone that comes to see us, getting to know each and every one of them. Seeing all the smiling faces everyday we open is the most rewarding to me. As for Dennis he has been an electrician for over 20yrs. and he has done so much for us when it comes to fixing both of our trailers, I am so thankful for him and his dedication to helping me with Hillbilly Grind. Read more>>
Christopher Brundies

I was in the US Army where I worked in an optical lab. Since I have poor vision myself, it was fitting work and I appreciated learning the craft. While attending military optical school, I was taught a strong, basic set of skills to fabricate lenses, along with an education in the science of how to move light. I developed management skills and an understanding of workflow in a lab. Read more>>
Jay Bragg

Working a 9-5 was something that I always dreaded. Couldn’t stand it. I use to be at work and coast through the day just waiting to get off so I can do whatever the fuck I wanted. I had a decent paying job but I couldn’t give it everything I had. I became lazy, I became detached and eventually walked away from it to pursue my career in artistry. Little did I know that making music was the easiest part of the music business, Read more>>
Jonna Naegele

Backstory: I worked for a small Acting School before Founding my own schools. I became Accredited in a technique that the school wanted to exclusively promote and have me teach there, when I paid for and sacrificed 3 months of my 2017 year going to LA and putting in the work myself. I refused to be taken advantage of and didn’t take the intimidation and scare tactics lightly, as I was younger and not legally literate at the time. Read more>>
Catie Morris

Recently, I held a position in the entertainment business that I thought was going to be mine forever. The position presented itself as a way to network with professionals in a way that would carry aspiring Hollywood artists to their next break. While I had an incredible time in this position, life ultimately had other plans for me. I was terrified to put it simply. I struggled with putting my financial, mental, and physical health first over stepping down. If I just hung in there and told myself, “Well, at least you’re in entertainment,” Read more>>
Michael Hollingsworth

Before moving to Illinois, I was an active duty serviceman in the United States Army. My positions in the military required me to learn how to spot deficiencies, how to work under pressure, how to pay attention to detail, and just how to be a leader in general. Read more>>
Tim Beisiegel

The lesson was simple. Value your family over everything else. The way it was taught to me, however, could have used some polish for sure. I was working for a small company that sold architectural hardware – Doors, hinges, locks etc … It was a smaller mostly family run company, and during the interview process they boasted about their family first policy, which being a father of 3 children, was important to me. Read more>>
Kerri Pagliarini

In my previous life I was a marketing rep for a law firm and there were always difficult clients. I was nervous speaking to them because I was afraid their complaints would reflect poorly on me and so I would avoid their calls. And that made it worse! So, I stopped avoiding them and truly listened to what they had to say. Read more>>
Marissa Harvey

As an entrepreneur, I’ve found that one of the most valuable insights in my career is recognizing the importance of having diverse skills. It’s good to remember that every job teaches us valuable lessons, even when it’s not immediately clear. Throughout my time in various corporate roles, I’ve picked up knowledge in marketing, finance, and strategy, which has really helped me confidently handle different aspects of my business. Read more>>