I'm writing a book of as-told-to stories about first jobs to be published by Picador in May 2015. I've been doing interviews for a year now and have interesting stories by everyone from the founder of People magazine (whose first job was at a rural newspaper when he was 14) to my mom (whose first job was working the night shift at a bacon-packing factory).
I'd love to have a story from the perspective of a young undocumented worker. There are so many unique challenges, I think it's a story that really needs to be told.
If you have an interesting story you'd like to share about your very first job, please get in touch! You can reach me at merritt.watts@gmail.com or fill out a form I've created here: http://firstjobsbook.tumblr.com/ The story can be anonymous if need be.
A blurb about the book from my publisher is below. Thanks so much,
Merritt
FIRST JOBS BOOK (Picador, May 2015)
An atheist selling Bibles in Nashville; a teenage Martha Stewart on her first modeling gig; a future textile designer harvesting tomatoes during World War II…We all got our start somewhere. A first job may not have the romance of the first kiss or the glamour of a first car but, more than anything else, it offers a taste of true independence. My book, an oral history of these early jobs, features first-person stories of the funny, sentimental, strange and inspiring forays into the workforce. Each story will offer a unique perspective on the meaning of first jobs and will give readers a voyeuristic and entertaining look at coming of age in the world of work.
