TAKING THAT FIRST STEP

Shoveling sidewalks, bagging groceries, busing tables, pumping gas.

• Photos

And for as little as $2 or less an hour.

Those were the first jobs that influenced 12 citizens in the Brainerd lakes area.

The Brainerd Dispatch asked these community leaders to share their comments about breaking into the working world.

The dozen also discussed how those jobs influenced their future careers.

John Bolduc

Age: 43.

Occupation: Brainerd police chief.

First job and wage: My first job, I was a water safety aid. This means I assisted with swimming lessons at the pool near my house (Osseo Junior High). I made $2.85 per hour and I was 14 years old. When I was old enough, 16, I became a lifeguard and a swimming instructor.

How did your first job influence you and your career? This job was very instrumental in my career choice, because I found that I enjoyed working with people and helping people. It also taught me valuable communication skills, especially in dealing with people much older than myself.

Todd Dahl

Age: 43.

Occupation: Crow Wing County sheriff.

First job and wage: Bagging groceries at Schaefer's Model Market in Nisswa working for minimum wage around $6 per hour.

Chris Robinson, an attorney with Askegaard and Robinson in Brainerd and a Brainerd Lakes Chamber Board member, shoveled snow outside his office Tuesday in Brainerd. Robinson recalled his first job shoveling snow. In addition to a cash reward, Robinson often received a bonus of a cookie from his customer, an elderly neighbor. He said the job taught him the importance of putting forth your best effort. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey» Purchase reprints of this photo.

How did your first job influence your career? I was employed (by) Ted Schaefer for six years, through Brainerd High School, four years of college eventually working my way into the produce department. When I look back on my years there, they were extremely influential in teaching me the value of working hard each and every day. I came to work and realized I had a job to do and when it was completed, we had fun together as well. Many of my co-workers I still keep in contact with and still have a great friendship to this day. When people enjoy the job they do and work well together, that develops a great team and we had it then and we have it now also with our office. I was extremely fortunate to have been hired and taught by many good, hardworking individuals. I continue to approach and apply to my job as Crow Wing County sheriff the same energy, tenacity and vigor that was taught to me while employed at Schaefer's.

Deborah Erickson

Age: 36

Occupation: Crow Wing County auditor.

First job and wage: My first job was a summer job baby-sitting when I was 13. However, my first job where I had to pay taxes was at the Holiday Inn laundry department. I think the wage was about $3.50 an hour and I was 16 years old.

How did your first job influence you and your career? I had to punch a time clock at that job, so it definitely taught me that being accountable for being at the workplace was very important. Even though it wasn't the most glamorous position in the organization, it was a very essential one as a hotel is very dependent on having clean sheets and towels to run its operation; so it made me realize that every cog in the wheel of a business is just as important as the next.

Sheila Wasnie Haverkamp

Age: 45.

Occupation: Brainerd Lakes Area Development Corp. executive director.

First job and wage: To the best of my recollection, my first job was cleaning rooms at Paul Bunyan Motel for $3.35/hour when I was 14 years old. It was a great job for my age - go to work early in the morning, get home early in the afternoon and still have time for fun.

How did your first job influence you and your career? I realized at a very young age that I needed to pursue a higher education degree so I could seek employment that was challenging and make enough money to provide for my desired lifestyle, (which included shopping and clothes as a teenager). During high school I found myself in motel, restaurant and retail positions. I enjoyed them but am glad with my decision to pursue a business administration degree. Today I have the pleasure of working with business and industry to create employment opportunities for Crow Wing County residents.

Todd Lyscio

Age: 47.

Occupation: Brainerd Community Education director and middle school athletic director.

First job and wage: Busboy at Van's Cafe (was the old Embers). I have no idea what I was paid, minimum wage at the time in the mid-1970s. My first real job at age 16 was as a camp counselor and that most certainly did impact my decision to go into education.

How did your first job influence you and your career? I found out that I really liked working with kids and teaching them stuff like swimming and first aid.

Darrel L. Olson

Age: 58.

Occupation: Appraiser for Crow Wing County and Baxter mayor.

First job and wage: My first real job was at a gas station (service station in those days) in northeast Brainerd. I started there as a sophomore in high school, as soon as I turned 16. I worked for Bill Getty. He is a great guy and was a super boss. I started out at 90 cents per hour and thought I had the world by the tail. I remember being raised to $1 per hour, and thinking that I was now set for life. Of course the gas I was pumping was selling for 35 cents per gallon, plus we gave Green Stamps!

How did your first job influence you and your career? I guess the influence that job had on me, would be customer service. Those were full-service stations in those days. You checked the oil, tire pressure, radiator level, belt condition, washed all the windows and anything else the customer wanted you to do. At 30 below those things could be interesting. I have strived to remember those lessons throughout my own life, and also to instill them in others that I have direct contact with. The employees at Baxter City Hall have heard those two words from me many times and have also worked hard to provide that service. I guess those were formative days.

Lisa Paxton

Age: 47.

Occupation: Brainerd Lakes Chamber chief executive officer.

First job and wage: Working the registration desk and general store at Crazy Horse Campground south of Onamia. Hourly wage was $1.10/hour, if I remember right.

How did your first job influence you and your career? I found out I enjoyed working with people and creative problem solving - whether it was figuring out the best campsite or driving an injured guest to the hospital (before I had my driver's license!).

Steve Razidlo

Age: 46.

Occupation: Brainerd School District superintendent.

First job and wage: I was 15 years old when I began work as a busboy at Mueller's Supper Club in Young America. I made $1.89 per hour and learned that it was fun to work hard. I continued working in restaurants through my college years as cook, waiter, bartender and manager.

How did your first job influence you and your career? Restaurant work taught me many valuable lessons, including concentration, teamwork, persistence and the importance of a positive attitude. I wouldn't trade my time there. I grew a lot from my time at my first restaurant jobs.

Chris Robinson

Age: 41.

Occupation: Attorney and Brainerd Lakes Chamber board member.

First job and wage: My first job was shoveling snow for an elderly widow who lived down the street. I was 11 years old and was paid $2 per snowfall. (She also usually invited me in for a cookie afterward when the snow was especially heavy.)

How did your first job influence you and your career? I learned that your customer will appreciate your work if you are thorough and give your best effort - which has proven true in every job I have had since.

Don Ryan

Age: 48.

Occupation: Crow Wing County attorney.

First job and wage: Roofer's assistant for Thelen Heating and Roofing making $12.50 an hour when I was 18 years old.

How did your first job influence you and your career? We worked long hours and started early in the morning. It taught me the value of hard work and dedication. These are lessons that I have carried with me since then.

Dan Vogt

Age: 53.

Occupation: Brainerd city administrator.

First job and wage: My first job was working for my dad at his concrete block manufacturing plant. I suppose I was in my early teens when I started. I worked for minimum wage that I remember was $1.65 per hour back in the late '60s. The hours were from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, with an hour lunch break, and 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday. I worked there mainly during the summer months and sometimes during the week when not in athletics.

How did your first job influence you and your career? The job taught me the value of hard work and responsibility. The work was hard with much heavy lifting and dirty conditions. It was a great way to try to decide what I wanted to do with my life. The 55-hour weeks also taught me that I needed to go to college to try get away from that kind of work and work week. My first job in public administration was at the city of Rogers, Minn., when I was just out of college at age 22. My starting annual pay was $10,500 back in 1978. I was basically the only employee for the city and did all of the administration and financial work, prepared council agendas and minutes, and did all zoning administration, etc. ion in that it gave me a very wide variety of work experiences that taught me what it really took to run a city. I used to hide the fact that I did all of these things since my goal was to be an administrator and not a maintenance person. However, I have often used all of these experiences to help me get through issues that a city is faced with. Employees usually can't 'pull the wool over my eyes' because I have done many of their jobs.

Donna Whalen

Age: 57.

Occupation: Forestview Middle School principal.

First job and wage: When I was 16, I taught tennis in Gregory Park in Brainerd for the summer recreation program. I taught tennis to groups and individuals ages 5 through adult. I had baby-sat prior to this job. I believe I earned $600 total for the summer program.

How did your first job influence you and your career? I had always thought that I wanted to work with young people and this job confirmed it. I decided that teaching was for me.