working

C asked me about my college jobs, and there is always a satisfaction of walking back my career memory lane.

I started babysitting when I was 12, and I haven't stopped working since. I worked during college and in grad school. Even when I was married and being supported financially, I temped.

My jobs ranged from bookstore clerk to registration clerk, from receptionist to personal assistant, from law clerk to policy researcher, from urban planner to real estate manager, and of course, attorney. Working my way up is a natural progression of my growth.

There is something satisfying about having a job. Besides the money, I feel more connected to the world around me when I have a routine.

I cannot stress enough the importance of earning my own money. It is through my paychecks that I know when I deserve more. It is through my own income that I can fulfill so many ideas about fun.

Now, work is ever more a central part of my identity. I want to fulfill my destiny in my professional life. With so many accomplishments and having had so much fun, career success seems like the natural next step.