Landing My First Job

Landing My First Job

Pull up a chair and sit awhile

August 17, 2026

Dear Friend:

I did not go to college fresh out of high school, that came later. In between I was busy raising children and keeping house. My working career started right after graduation.

My sisters and I took secretarial in high school. Our classes consisted of typing, stenography, and business English. Being the daughter of an accountant I also took Bookkeeping. I was not immediately a good typist, it took years of practice. Stenography, on the other hand, was my saving grace. Thankfully, my steno speed was high—I could take dictation at 240 words per minute.

Secretarial class started with learning stenography, practicing the symbols and the letters and shortcuts they represented. Sister Jude Marie walked about the class dictating much like our future bosses would do. Sister stopped occasionally to look at what we were writing. She did not carry a ruler, thankfully. Then we worked on typing and as we progressed we would not only practice from our workbook we began to transcribe what Sister had dictated. Sister spent a good amount of time talking about what our work life would look like. All in all we were very prepared for the next chapter of our lives.

Then came graduation. I still remember stomping the streets of downtown Lancaster applying for jobs. On the last day of my application journey I decided to stop into the Lancaster County Courthouse to apply. I applied for an opening in their Auditing Department. I filled out the application (I had become an expert) and spoke to the secretary about the process. Then I walked home feeling pretty good about my day. The job in the Auditing Department felt good because my Dad was an accountant and so was my Uncle. I received a call the next day asking me to come in for an interview. I was very excited and dressed carefully for the interview as we had been trained to do by Sister Jude Marie. The interview went very well, and I learned the man interviewing me was the father of my one of my gym teachers in high school. He would be one of my Bosses. The next day I was pleased to learn I had the job and could start right away.

I liked working in the Courthouse and one day I asked if I would be allowed to visit a courtroom. My boss arranged a visit and I was in awe standing in that Courtroom. I could imagine a trial taking place, the attorneys giving their arguments and examination of a witness. I remember thinking how I would enjoy working in a courtroom. Later in life I would become a paralegal.

It is funny how life sometimes circles back around. Just when we think we have it all figured out life takes a turn we do not expect. But that does not mean that turn is a bad turn. God answers our prayers or wishes according to his time.

Until next time, stay well, stay safe, and stay connected to those you love.

Be well,

Emma

Emma is the voice behind Sharing with Seniors, where every story starts with a memory. Through stories of family, friendships, music, traditions, hometowns, and life's simple pleasures, she invites readers to pull up a chair, stay awhile, and remember the moments that have shaped their lives.