Published by Lee, the Job Guy

Every single person started with a first part time job no matter if it was related to their career goals or not. Not many young people remember Lucille Ball but I watched her TV show as a kid in the 1960’s. She was one of the most popular comedians of all time yet she started out scooping ice cream. Unfortunately it’s still what I do. Can you imagine Gene Simmons dressed in his KISS costume delivering a paper to your door? I can’t imagine Whoopi Goldberg as a brick layer, or Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones working at a country club!

We don’t think about the fact that celebrities had to start somewhere too. They started at the bottom and worked hard for their status. They figured out ways to be noticed and many moved towards their goals fast because they were motivated and all of them had the enthusiasm to get where they wanted go.

Some worked part-time jobs that related to their final careers, but most worked at regular jobs that most teens today would apply for. The point is a job opens the door to the real world. School prepares your brain so it can function in the world, but a job speeds up that process and teaches you social skills, math skills, cleaning skills, organizational skills, and many more including simple things like being on time for a job. If you are late for school too much you can get a harsh talking to, if you are late to work in some cases one time, they will let you go. A part-time job sets the stage for your career path and pays you too. Do it well, move up the ladder, do it poorly and you don’t move towards your goals.

Many teens are taught how to use their feet and kick a soccer ball well, but they have no clue how to use their hands and count back change. Many get A’s in English, but they have no verbal business phone skills. A part-time job teaches those skills in a real world setting.

Most celebrities worked at the same kind of jobs that are available today…movie theatres, fast food restaurants, department stores, clothing stores, gas stations, paper routes, ice cream scoopers, some even created their own jobs. I’ll bet most of them were able to choose the job they wanted because they knew the steps it takes to be noticed and not just blend in. If you don’t believe me, consider that Bill Gates first job was a Congressional page in the Washington State Capitol. I believe he understood the steps it took to get the job he wanted.

Here is a fun list of some celebrity’s first jobs.

Nicolas Cage – Sold popcorn at a movie theater

Charles Bronson – Coal Miner

David Lee Roth – Hospital orderly

Paula Abdul – Laker Girl

Clint Eastwood – Pool Boy

Sean Connery – Lifeguard

Mick Jagger – Hospital Porter

Cyndi Lauper – Emptied dog kennels

Steve Buscemi – Firefighter

Ozzy Osbourne – Slaughterhouse Worker

Gwen Stefani – Worked at Dairy Queen

Rod Stewart – Grave Digger

Queen Latifah -Worked at Burger King

Warren Beatty – Rat Catcher

Alec Baldwin – Bouncer

Kanye West – Worked at the Gap

Jason Lee – Worked behind the counter at a Taco Bell

Whoopi Goldberg – Bricklayer

Mickey Rourke – Movie Theater Usher

Claiy Aiken – A counselor at the YMCA

Marlon Brando – Ditch Digger

Matthew McConaughey – Cleaned out chicken coops

Donald Trump – Rent Collector

Gene Simmons – Newspaper Delivery Boy

Jon Bon Jovi – Made Christmas decorations

Keith Richards – Tennis Ball Boy

Russell Simmons – Worked at Orange Julius

Nancy Grace – Worked the candy counter at Sears

Henry Fonda – Worked for a credit agency

Pamela Anderson – Fitness Instructor

Jennifer Aniston – Telemarketer

Lucille Ball – Sold ice cream

Michael Douglas – Gas Station Attendant

Robin Williams – Street Mime

Danny DeVito – Hair stylist

Garth Brooks – Boot Store Salesman

Drew Carey – in the Marine Corps.

Kurt Cobain – Janitor

Evangeline Lilly – Flight Attendant

Jerry Seinfeld – Sold lightbulbs

Sting – Teacher

Vin Diesel – Bouncer

Eddie Vedder – Gas Station Attendant

Christopher Walken – Lion Tamer in the circus

Julia Roberts – Worked behind the counter in an ice cream shop

James Dean – Tested stunts for the game show “Beat the Clock”

Walt Disney – Ambulance driver

Carmen Elektra – Danced at a theme park in Ohio

Tom Cruise – Bell Hop

Faith Hill – Receptionist

http://www.glamorati.com/celebrity/2008/before-they-were-stars-50-celebrity-first-jobs/