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

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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

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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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 What a grand and glorious feeling ------------ , says D. F. in the opening lines of her letter. That makes us curious, so let us look into this matter more closely. Whit a grand and glorious feeling, when, after working in a place for only three week , your employer give you a dollar-a-week rai e and inform you that peed is always appreciated And all this time. I had been afraid that I was too slow. I hid been out of work through the month of July, but at last, one bright morning. I was called down to School and sent out on a job. The next dav I started work in the Meyer’s Arcade, sewing skirt for two-piece garment The day was long and hot and tiresome. but it finally pissed Later on. I was laid off from this position. I had two other position after that, but finally went back to my first one. for I liked it best by far. It docs us a lot of good to find that speed is really appreciated in real life. It gives us another tip on how to boost our salaries. M. C. is a milliner, and she has given us a very good description of the routine of getting a job in the following letter: I:arly one morning. I was awakened by the ladv downstairs, who came to tell me that there wat a call for me on the phone. Who do you suppose it was' It was Mis McAlmon. wanting to know if I would go to the Court House and answer their call for a mil- (g liner It was a very shaky girl who walked up the steps of the Court House to room 407. There were several applicants ahead of me. which encouraged me very much, as I wanted a chance to get over the shivers before approaching the gentleman in charge. At last, my turn came I walked over to the desk and. to my very great surprise and relief. I found a very kindly man instead of the ogre I had imagined. He asked me a few questions, said that he guessed 1 was capable if Vocational said so. and sent me to the Dayton Company to report on the seventh floor. With no trouble at all, I gained admission to the office of the superintendent. He was so kind that all the confidence 1 ever had came rushing to the surface. I was then hired and sent downstairs to my fate. Everything has turned out lovely. Learn ye. one and all. that many obstacles and difficulties exist in our imaginations only. Courage, based on justifiable self-confidence, will send them all running. Thus far. the Outside Seniors have given us a quite favorable impression of life in the business world, but occasionally we are warned that life is not all a path of roses. N. M. writes in to give us an idea of some of the things which can happen and which frequently do happen: I thought that work would be easy. When I was in school. I thought that I would like to work, but now. if I had the choice. I would vote in favor of school. 4