Welcome back! Today's block, #22/24, in the original "Bride's Quilt Story" is the symbolism of Jacob’s ladder – “steps of communication” between themselves (the husband and wife) on earth and God in heaven. It is a pretty simple block made up of four half-square triangles and five four-patch blocks that create a "ladder" diagonally in both directions, thanks to color placement. Some of the questions included in the memory pages approach more of a steps or progression in a career/job.
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| Sorry about the weird shadow in the lower right corner... |
I began working when I was 17...well, I did some babysitting before that, but my desire was to work as a secretary. I enjoyed typing, filing, organizing, etc.
My first job was at a farm loan institution. The men were the loan officers and women managed the office. I had the opportunity to learn all of the different positions... receptionist - how to answer the phones, transferring calls, taking detailed messages and making sure the guys received them (didn't lose them and actually returned the calls). One of the receptionists was also responsible for taking dictation (you know... shorthand) and typing up letters.
Tracking and double-checking journal entries was a tedious job, though it was made tolerable when two people did it together - one reading amounts from receipts and the other verifying the accuracy. The year was 1982 and this was a time just prior to computers being available and used in all offices... especially small offices like the one I was working in. It played havoc with my eyes and that was when I realized I needed reading glasses.
The payroll office was always a fun office. The ladies in this portion of the office took me under their wings and allowed me to calculate the payroll check amounts first. They would verify the number of hours reported, the hourly pay rate and the various withholdings. If there was an error, I was not reprimanded for it. Rather, they gently explained where the mistake was made, made the correction and then moved on.
Of course, there was always "Girl Friday" responsibilities in the office as well. You know... the one that made coffee, made sure there were pastries or snacks around, tidying up the board room after meetings... and shredding old documents.
After completing my college education for a "Secretarial Science Certificate" I landed a temporary job in an accounting office. The Secretary/Receptionist was out on maternity leave for 3 months. I enjoyed the position and was lucky enough to be able to transfer to the main office when she returned.
It was at this job that I had the opportunity to learn how to file basic tax returns. Again, this was before computer generated/auto-fill forms. The accountants would complete worksheets, plug in the numbers into the proper lines (hand-written) and then make a pile on my desk. I would gather the necessary forms and, using a typewriter, make the final returns. I would always double-check the accuracy of their math. They in turn, would always double-check the accuracy of my typing. Teamwork!
There were still opportunities for taking dictation and letter writing. Shorthand was not one of my stronger skills, though I managed to get by just fine. Most of the time, the accountants didn't mind if I made a few changes.
Over the years, I continued to use my secretarial skills and still use them to manage the "office" of my husband's business, Nolan Quality Customs.
I have worked in the front office of a manufacturing plant as a receptionist and an insurance processor (employees would bring their medical bills to me and I would send to the insurance company). It was an office full of women... and that office was divided. If you worked with so'n'so, you weren't allowed talk to certain others. I was able to get along with everyone, but eventually the backstabbing and nastiness of the whole thing soured me, and I quit after 6 months.
I enjoyed working in an architectural office that was full of men. They were kind to me and treated me very well. It was another short-term job since I became pregnant and chose to be a stay-at-home-mom. As the girls grew up, I held a variety of part-time jobs.
I have worked in offices of primarily men... as well as primarily women. And I would choose to work with men over women every time. I am fortunate that I had very good experiences when working with the men. Never did I feel taken advantage of or treated improperly. I do realize that is not the norm for many women. For this I feel badly but will not linger there.
Could I have climbed the ladder to become one of the executives? Confidently I say, yes. Did I want that responsibility??? Nope. My family and home came first. There were two particular jobs that I held where I was doing all that was involved and required by a person in the position of the Executive title... as well as performing a full-time job in a part-time position. It wore on me and affected my health. I had to make a choice and have never regretted my decision to leave those jobs.
It was after leaving my last job in 2009 that I began my quilting career. And I have absolutely no regrets of making that shift. It has fulfilled my creative spirit and brings me joy each and every day and a new excitement as I begin each project. I have enjoyed each and every sew along I have hosted, and I can look back and see how I have grown as a quilter, made improvements in color selection and placement as well as pattern designing and writing. PLUS I have all of you that have trusted me and participated in the events. I am so blessed to have you here and am grateful for your helping me as I changed "ladders" and careers.
What changes have you seen in your career over the years?
Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!
It is now time that you can hop over to my Payhip store for the Jacob's Ladder pattern.
Keep Piecing,
Melva
PS - Blogger has made some changes recently so that I cannot simply respond to your comments via email. I will try my best to reply here on the blog, but I'll be honest... I'm not very good at following through with that. I never know if you actually see my response... You can always send me an email at MelvaLovesScraps@NolanQualityCustoms.com if you want.
Be sure to return after you get your block completed to join the block parade. :)
That was a fun read and loved getting to know you better:) I went to Vo Tech to learn Medical Clerk Typist. Never put that to good use as I finished the course I was pregnant and was fortunate to be able to stay home and raise the kids and my little craft business was born during those years.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the story, Vicki. :) You have a fabulous little business and create some wonderful quilted items. Thanks for the visit.
DeleteWhat an interesting story of your career! I was supposed to teach math, but no jobs available led me to secretarial work, and the only teaching I did was substitute (which I hated). Like you I learned many skills. Data entry and newsletter publication were my favorites. What I disliked was answering the phone for someone else - UGH! Thanks for the download for that pretty block. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome, Linda. Teaching was never a thought for me... ok, well maybe pre-school. That could have been interesting. I still enjoy finding little activities for the grands that are fun and they can learn. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI never worked in an office, but my mom did and knew shorthand. As kids, we were always so fascinated by how that looked and the idea that those symbols represented words! I always wanted to be a teacher, and so became one. I taught from pre-K up to 5th grade. Up and down the ladder! Looking forward to making this next block!
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