The Life-Changing Impact of Being Given a Chance

My first job in Canada?

McDonald’s crew.

Because somebody took a chance on me.

I couldn’t get a job back then.

Not at the dry cleaners.

Not at the dollar store.

In desperation, my dad waited outside a grocery store. He talked to strangers who would care to pause and give us a glance. He explained that we were new immigrants, we needed jobs, and that any help would be a great help.

Until someone decided to give a contact info for a McDonald’s branch that was hiring.

I went, got interviewed, got hired. I worked very hard at this job — didn’t take anything for granted — so I could show my gratitude for the chance.

My first formal teaching job?

Teaching kids at a summer camp.

Because somebody took a chance on me.

I was barely finished with my program at that time. I haven’t quite graduated yet. But I was just at that intersection — almost done with school, no job, with student loans to pay.

I needed a job. And then there was this posting for a summer camp instructor — teaching kids from 5–8 (if I recall correctly).