My First Job: Joanie Parsons, president and founder

July 30, 2006

My First Job: Joanie Parsons, president and founder

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Joanie Parsons

Current position: President and founder of Parsons Public Relations, a communications firm that works with companies and organizations committed to sustainability, specifically within the design, horticulture and green-building industries.

First job: At the Northgate Herfy's, a hamburger joint similar to McDonald's but revered for its incredible "special sauce." I started the day after I turned 15 and worked there faithfully for three months as a window clerk in an orange polyester uniform.

Pay: The minimum wage at that time was around $2.85 per hour.

What I learned: That I didn't like polyester or meat for that matter! Soon after, I became a vegetarian. I also learned about customer service and the value of respecting those on my team. I learned that if I don't like a situation, it is my responsibility to change it as soon as possible. Most importantly, I learned that building a dynamic team is the key to a successful work environment.

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