My first career out of high school was a hairstylist. I went to school and got my cosmotology license and worked as a hairstylist and barber for many years. My dad was a barber and had two shops. He had a shop in Staten Island, New York and a fancier place in New York City (more of a unisex salon).
After my dad passed away from cancer at 52, I left the business. I enjoyed the work, but never liked the fact it was feast or famine. Being a cash business during the slow times, you had to struggle to pay the bills. I also never liked the fact that there were no benefits in this business. No paid vacations, no 401K or no Health insurance.
My mom who was a legal secretary told me to look into word processing. She said a lot of men are getting into it and they are making over $30 an hour. I went to school and have been doing that for the last 20 years. I have been with the same firm for 15 now. I work in New York city and the firm I work for is one of the top 100 law firms in the country.
Over the years, the job description has changed. I still do word processing, but also was trained as an Edgar operator.
