My first paying job was in a bagel shop, where I learned several lessons: (A) loyal customers really like their faces and their preferences to be remembered, (B) food service workers generally are an underappreciated lot and (C) apparently, I breathe through my hands because wearing plastic gloves causes me to overheat in seconds.

Far from glamorous, that first job at Chesapeake Bagel Bakery gave me some pretty key insights about life (in terms of Items A and B, at least). In the long run, it made me a better employee because I absorbed a common truth about people wanting to be noticed and appreciated (Item A), and a better person because I experienced the rude behavior that service workers too often endure from their customers (Item B) and vowed never to do that to anyone waiting on me.

A far less “dirty job,” yet one that could teach you or yours oodles of worthwhile lessons about life and work, is open right now at the credit union to someone between the ages of 18-25: 2010 Young & Free South Carolina Spokesperson. While this job lacks the appeal of my bagel gig with its polyester aprons and cream cheese scoops, the one year position with Young & Free SC does offer a salary, benefits and perks, including use of a Toyota Prius and paid gas for a year. In return, we’d ask you not to master the art of the Cheese Melt, but to create, edit and upload video to YouTube, blog, mix with people at events and shed light on financial topics for people your age – even if you’re still learning, too.

Not bad, huh? And you’ll never end your day by mopping a floor with bleach water. Could you or someone you know take this job?