Minneapolis Vocational High School - Tradewind Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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SS—I And so it is that wc arc giving you some of the news that the Outside Seniors have sent in to us. Laugh at the humorous events that they describe, sympathize with their difficulties, thrill at their triumphs and learn from their disappointments. One of the girls sends us the following description of the joys and trials of a nurse: I took «1k Nurses Course at Vocational and started on my first job in April. 1925. When 1 arrived at the home to which I had been directed. I found that I scarcely had courage to go in. After passing the house a couple of times. I finally mustered up enough courage to enter. My patient was an old lady, eighty-three years old. who weighed only seventy-nine pounds. She had no real ailment, but was dying of old age She was Scandinavian. and I am Irish, and. as she could speak no English, we had quite a time understanding each other. She would say something to me and then laugh at (he blank look on my face. 1 reported at work at eight-thirty and worked until one-thirty, receiving fifteen dollars per week as a salary. As this was my first position, you can imagine how independent I felt. Before my patient died. I could understand quite a bit of the Swedish language. I do not believe 1 shall ever forget my first position. The job I am now holding it a bit different. My present employer came to me and asked me to work for her. I am taking care of the most unruly child I have ever seen. My fin: day seemed like a hundred years, for my new charge kicked, screamed, and tore around until I was almost wild. Young man. thought I. I'll tame you before the week is out. The taming stunt started the next day. and now. at the close of the fifth month, he is a perfect angel when with me. but— heaven help his parents. It sounds to us as if nursing might be a job with a real kick in it. Lots of them, in fact. Now. here’s one that gives us a needles-eye view of the peregrinations of a dressmaker: Miss McAlmon started me out on a power machine job The point was that, although I was a dressmaker. I had had no power machine experience. When I reported at the factory to which 1 had been directed. I was put right to work making men's neckties, afrer a little preliminary practice in stitching. The machines used are very similar to electric sewing machines, except that they do not have bobbins It was very easy work, though oftimes during that hot summer I wished that there was a fan attached to the wheel. There was not much excitement save when a motor caught on fire, and the occasional ruining of ties when they became tangled in the machine. In September. Miss McAlmon sent me to a dressmaking shop, where 1 am now doing hand embroidery. The designs are very interesting, and working with the beautiful colors is very enjoyable. Most of the designs are Swedish or Norwegian. Tht work is very pleasant and 12

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I'HROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS Dear Inside Classmates: If you are anything like we were when we were back there at Vocational, studying hard and dodging the Scholarship Committee, you are probably looking forward with some curiosity to the day when, as Vocational graduates, you will start out on your first job. First jobs give you a thrill, to be sure, and it does seem fine to be a real part of the business world, but. just the same, you will never realize how lucky you really are to be in school until you leave it forever and run up against some of the experiences that we have encountered. Some of our experiences have been happy ones, and some— not so good. At any rate, we think that you may be interested to know of some of the things that have happened to some of us. and may be able to learn a little about what you may expect when you. too. get out on that first real job. The Outside Seniors.

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 interesting. and a raise in salary which recently came my way makes it all the more so. We should imagine that raises in salary would mean a rise of spirits and an increased interest in our work. Perhaps it works the other way around, too. The job seekers’ uncertain feeling of “am-I-good-cnough? is well described in the next report on the program, by H. M.: Oh! That memorable first day! It was a Saturday. I was informed that the girls on the job for which I was to apply started work at eight o'clock. 1 was on hand at a quarter to eight. (I was going to make sure that I would not be late the first time), and. of course. I had to wait until nearly eight o'clock before I could get in to approach the employer with my great request. After what seemed to me a long, long time, the employer notified me that he would try me out that day. Work? Good gracious! I never have worked so hard in all the six months I have been employed as I did in that one day. I didn't dare look up. for fear someone would tell me to watch my work. Time jus' seemed to fly. but none too fast to suit me. But. I did get through and was given the good news that I would be O. K. Get on the job early, and never be late. Not bad advice to anyone who wants to hold a job. is it? We have failed to mention anything about the boys, as yet. It would not be a bad idea to hearken to the following experience of one T. C.. whom many of you readers will remember: When I left Vocational in (he month of June. 1925, my first job was given to me through the help of my shop teacher. Mr. Krogstie. Before receiving this assistance. however. I had already taken it upon myself to scratch around for a job on my own book, but without success. My first job was with the Auto-Electric Shop in the rear of the Nash Motor Company on Nicollet Avenue. My duty was to comp!e:e the armatures of generators and starting motort after they came from the winders. First. I would have to string, solder, varnish and bake them, turn them down in the lath:, test them, and finally give them a coat of shellac. Then they were sent out into the world again to do their stuff I alsa was required to repair generators, starting motors, and lighting systems. I worked at this job only a month, and was then laid off. However. I was idle for only a week when I landed a job at the Dominion Electric Company which 1 am still holding down. “Lay-offs may come and pass, but there is usually another job right around the corner for a good tradesman. N. B. that poor workers are not included in that statement. IJ