KEY POINTS:
ESTELLE LOGAN
VIP HOME SERVICES FRANCHISE CO-OWNER
What was your first job?
Junior shorthand typist at the Franklin Electrical Power Board.
What year was that?
It was '75 or '76 and I was nearly 16 and started on $37 a week. It was big money, wasn't it? I remember when we got married, we got our second mortgage and my pay went up to $54. That was a saving grace because we both had pay increases which covered the second mortgage.
How did you get your first job?
I was in the sixth form and the job was advertised in the local paper. Because there were so few shorthand typist jobs coming up, I was encouraged by my parents to apply for it. One of my older sisters had also worked there.
What did you learn?
It was a good grounding in office work. There was a good work environment, good people to work with and it was very ordered.
What was your boss like?
He was very old school, formal and correct, a good and fair boss - but everything was very proper.
Why did you leave?
I had been there for a couple of years and there was no room to advance in a varied role. I left to become a personal assistant to two insurance agents. That was a far more responsible role with more variety.
Any advice to someone starting out?
Learn all you can, be prepared to do anything and go the extra mile. And be yourself. It's important to develop a strong work ethic - that you don't watch the clock or text all the time or surf the net all day like the young ones think it's okay to do. It's important to show loyalty.
