The Reluctant Worker

by Victoria Chabot

As a young child I was accustomed to responsibility and structure. Some of the rules in my house included a glass of milk a day followed by an hour of the evening news. Everything had a time and a meaning. If you wanted to know the definition of a word, no one was going to dictate it. “Look it up, nothing is going to come to you that easily,” my father said. I used to sit on the sofa with him reading Hebrew books to insure that my Syrian accent remained intact. Life was filled with rules. Rules that were driving me berserk!

As I grew up responsibility was instilled in me and in all of my siblings, yet there was something I was

not prepared for. My older siblings both had jobs. One tutored and the other sold jewelry on eBay. Although I was accustomed to responsibility, I was not prepared to work.

I was entering Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School. As a young and ardent freshman I was ready to join teams. I imagined myself on the basketball team, the soccer team and the team of any sport I could play. I was also ready to focus on my schoolwork. I was worried about juggling employment with homework, sports and exams.

On a September night in 2007 I was talking with my mother. We discussed school and then she mentioned work. “Victoria, I think you should start looking for a job,” she said. My mother and father agreed that working would bring out the best in me. Working would teach me life lessons and help me discover how responsibility plays a key role in society.

I was infuriated. Although my mother was requesting something from me I began to scream. I remember saying, “Never, I will never work. I’m not like the other siblings.” An hour later my mother came into my room explaining how someone just phoned her in need of a tutor. This lady needed a tutor for both Hebrew and English subjects. I definitely felt God’s presence or (in Hebrew) hashgaha peratit. I contemplated what to do next, take the job or not?

I had already babysat and assisted mothers with their children. All these jobs occurred during the summer when times were lax. Tutoring definitely felt like a job with extra responsibility. Tutoring required focusing on something other than school. I would be teaching and influencing another mind.
I decided to take the job. Unlike other teens my age I was worried about paying bills which is viewed as a parental role and responsibility. After my eighth grade graduation I received a cell phone and like my older sisters, paying the phone bill was going to be my responsibility. I was nervous about work and felt that I would dread every moment of it. I believed that I had too much on my plate.

I began to tutor and in fact, enjoyed it very much. I love to teach and help others. Along with tutoring came strategizing. Strategizing requires responsibility. I wrote down when and for how long I will do every activity that night.

My tutoring job is just a few blocks away from my home and school. I tutor from 6 until 7 p.m. I then have half an hour to eat dinner and then relax. At 8 p.m. I begin my homework and get ready to exercise from 9 to 9:45. I try to exercise every night — I love jogging and exercising on the elliptical. A healthy lifestyle is definitely key to my success.

Freshman year ended and so did my original tutoring job but I’ve managed to find other tutoring jobs since. I found something that I love and continue to do everyday.

Summer jobs were never foreign to me. Since age 11 I have had a summer job; unlike others my age I was out working. I’ve been a camp counselor. I had to change diapers, watch the young children in the wading pool and help them eat lunch.

After sophomore year I was a shadow, one who assists a child with a disability. The child I watched was truly a pleasure. She practiced speech and articulation throughout the day with a speech therapist and with me. By the end of the summer her improvement was unbelievable. She was articulating more and playing with the other children her age. This summer I plan to shadow another child. I enjoyed it very much and cannot wait to do so.

I feel a sense of pride and happiness after finishing a day’s work. I’ve learned to love working. I always express my gratitude and thankfulness to my parents who told me to get a job.

Through work I’ve attained many valuable skills and lessons. I’ve learned that if you really want something and put effort into getting it, you can acquire it. As a diligent tutor, babysitter and mother’s helper I am able to purchase lunch at school every day and can pay my cell phone bill each month (which includes texting charges.) This year I saved up and bought myself a laptop computer.
I’ve learned to use my time efficiently. This skill applies to my everyday life including my driving skills. I recently received my permit and I currently attend driver’s ed classes. When I drive I must have a clear strategy and plan for what may occur next.

Teens have a responsibility and a right to work. The lessons gained by working are so important. Every individual should find something they’re interested in and commit to employment. I love working and would encourage every teen to discover that they do too.

Victoria Chabot is a junior at the Yeshivah of Flatbush in Brooklyn.

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