A job isn’t just a source of income, it can be a source of pride and dignity.
While the tasks may not be glamorous, there is something meaningful about working, and being the type of person who works.
People who have jobs have more jobs. Just like people who do projects do more projects. And people who start companies start more companies.
These trends towards repetition underscore the importance of the first opportunity. If we know that 90% of people who start one company will start another, we should work hard to help people start the first company. Because maybe only 10% of the population goes from starting zero companies to starting one.
If the first job is dignifying, the following jobs will be too. It’s easy to start at McDonalds. It’s harder to go to McDonalds after a meaningful work experience.
We need to focus on creating jobs, but we also need to be prepared to make these jobs something people can be proud of. Something that inspires a family and a future generation.
More first jobs with more dignity.