Making a Difference in the Workplace

No matter what occupation an individual holds, their position makes a difference. Highly ranked executives are often thought to be the people with the most responsibility and most important roles. However, every working person holds some sort of authority and impacts others with their job. The people mentioned in this section of the Studs Terkel Reader worked in a variety of fields, some of which were not very highly thought of. Regardless, the individuals with these jobs took their work very seriously and realized that their role was significant in some way. For instance, Dolores Dante, a waitress, worked in the same restaurant for twenty-three years, and seemed to know all of the ins and outs of the business. It was interesting to hear all of the strategies she kept in mind in order to please her customers. For example, she always changed the ways in which she offered products to customers. Instead of just saying "Would you like a cocktail?", she would say "What's exciting at the bar that I can offer?". It was fascinating to read about her perception of the stereotype that all waitresses have broken homes. Dante discussed that people become waitresses because their homes are broken and they need money; their homes aren't broken because they are waitresses. Best of all, Dante wasn't ashamed of her occupation; she seemed rather proud of all that she had been through. She said, "When somebody says to me, 'You're great, how come you're just a waitress?' Just a waitress. I'd say, 'Why don't you think you deserve to be served by me?' It's implying that he's not worthy, not that I'm not worthy. It makes me irate. I don't feel lowly at all. I myself feel sure. I don't want to change the job. I love it" (331). Dante lived with an admirable assurance that her life was relevant to others, and she continued to work to make a difference in others' days.

Eric Nesterenko had a bit of a Cinderella experience with his job. He started playing hockey after his dad provided him with a pair of skates and he played at the rink across the street without any other gear. He said, "I played the game for my own sake, not for him. He wasn't even really around to watch. I was playing for the joy of it with my own peers. Very few adults around. We organized everything" (346). Nesterenko played hockey for exactly the right reasons: he had fun doing so and it made him happy - that is what one should dream to receive from a career. Nesterenko went on to say, "It can't just be a job. It's not worth playing just for the money. It's a way of life" (349). One should be passionate about their job, like these individuals. So much of our lives are dedicated to work, so it is imperative that this work is enjoyable and fulfilling.