After growing up on the farm, it felt like vacation going off to college, working 50-60hrs per week and going to school full time. School was 7am-1pm, Monday-Friday. I worked evenings and weekends. It was like a vacation compared to summer at home on the farm. After a couple of years, I was the evening service writer and Sunday service writer. Saturdays, I did whatever was needed in shop, from batteries to mufflers to AC. Sears Roadhandler tires were heavy but I did my share of tires too. I started at $1.35 per hour in 1977 at the Sears gas station, then moved inside and did batteries. Got a raise to $2.15/hr and it was mostly shaded. When I left Sears (graduated college and got a job with computer company), I was making $7.95/hr.
I got to pick my Sunday crew, most of my guys were 17-19, taking classes at Arizona automotive.. Several of them would come in even when they were not scheduled, just in case I could give them a few hours. All of them worked hard and did good work. They drove beaters, shared apts, car pooled when they could, anything to save money and make more so they could finish school and get a full time job.
It really hasn't changed, those that hustle and learn can get ahead.
