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.

Leena Tailor

I worked as a writer at a weekly magazine for seven years, which instilled a work ethic which has been crucial since becoming self-employed. Read more>>

Alix Jean-Francois

Most important lesson I have learned is to create for yourself. It doesn’t matter what others think of your work, because you will always feel a particular way about your own work. Read more>>

JANE SCHMAUSS

When I was a teacher, and later, when I was in the restaurant business, I learned that it was important to find out what your students/customers needed from you. One does that by listening, then doing. Read more>>

Daniel Pruitt

I’ve worked many service industry jobs off and on, and working in a restaurant or coffee shop teaches you how to deal with people fast. Read more>>

Tatiana Matthews

I would say one of the most important lessons \experiences I had in a job that has helped me as a business owner is providing great customer service. Read more>>

Anna Ballew

I’m teaching an eight year old how to play guitar right now, and I’m learning so much about what I need for myself through teaching her. As you can probably remember as an eight year old, Read more>>

Taylor Lianne Chandlrr

In my last job I became a whistleblower for fraud, waste and abuse. It created a very hostile work environment for me. It’s hard to juggle a public life and a personal job. Read more>>

Sequoia Nacmanie

Learning to respect myself, my time, and to not overgive beyond my capacity and beyond what I was being paid for were the most important lessons Iearned in a whole host of situations, but most especially as a public school teacher. Read more>>

Jami Christine

My first job was painting backdrops for photographers, and that job has defined my career life ever since. I answered an ad for a company looking to hire an artist when I was a sophomore in high school. Read more>>

Mario Matulich

One of the most important lessons I learned in my career came from my time playing professional baseball with the Cleveland Guardians organization. Read more>>

Julie Afsahi

I was a public school teacher before opening my yoga studio and sound healing business. That job taught me invaluable lessons, and I will always be indebted to the teens and families I worked with and taught. Read more>>