I was 19 years old, having the time of my life. I had just been promoted to be a front-end coordinator at Wegmans Food Markets.
A typical arrogant teenager, invincible; no one could tell me anything. I wore expensive watches and earrings to work to show off. I was selfish and didn't care about anyone else. My own success was my focal point.
And then one day, I made a mistake.
One of my Helping Hands employees had asked me a question about taking off from work. I was stressed out with the task of running the front end of the store. I lashed out on my employee in front of the whole store.
Customers looked on in disgust. Not even 20 minutes after the confrontation, my front end manager called me into the office.
He explained that a complaint was filed and he thought it was time to talk and figure out if I was right for the job.
I remember being aggravated and frustrated and could not believe this was becoming a bigger deal than I thought it was.
But there was a message that lived behind the words he said. I remember it until this day because it changed the person I was into the person I am today.
"Joe, if you want to wear earrings to work and a nice watch, that is fine. Be who you want to be. If you want to be cocky, that's fine, but just remember, someone is always watching."
I went home, ditched my earrings and my expensive watch and shaved my faux hawk. People were only going to take me seriously if I treated them with respect and grew up.
This lesson has transpired into something great here at UB. Professionalism has earned me the respect of my peers and helped me network in the field of journalism.
The way I dress, the way I act and the way I conduct myself are as if I'm preparing for a business meeting.
For incoming freshmen, now is the time to gear your self toward preparing for the future. Develop good habits. You are always competing against someone. On the first day on campus, take a look around at the 100-plus students who fill the Knox Lecture Hall in your general education courses.
Roughly half will be your competition in your field in the future.
Remember that when you wake up and want to roll out of bed in sweatpants to attend lecture or when you want to post on your social media outlets about your night drinking.
Mistakes will be made - I'm proof of that. But you live and you learn. That is the most interesting thing about life.
Employers notice everything. Give people a reason to respect you.
It's not about the time spent doing a keg stand or the hours of lectures you miss. It's about your future. When college is over, no one will care about those things. Do what's best for you and set yourself up to land a good job.
Treat every day like a job interview, and if you do it right, your future may fall right in your lap.
Email: joseph.konze@ubspectrum.com
