First Jobs

June 13, 2007

by Laura Panozzo

First jobs aren’t usually the most glamorous positions, often set in a mall or a fast-food service joint. For some of the Shock players, they are still a reminder that playing basketball is definitely a game, even if you get paid for it. They know what real work is like.

“Pee Wee” Johnson started her first job when she was at the University of South Carolina. She had to complete an internship as part of her Retail and Business curriculum and went to work at a Foot Locker for a semester. “I wanted to see what it was like to hold a job down,” she said. “It gave me the opportunity to learn about dealing with different types of people.”

Some of the people she dealt with were her friends, though it doesn’t sound like they were there to buy any shoes. “Some people I knew would come to see me work and just hang out with me,” she said.

Katie Feenstra’s first job also came while she was at Liberty University. “A guy from our church worked at a company that sold tax forms,” she said. “It was just a summer job for college students.” She had to call customers on the phone that had previously purchased tax forms to see if they wanted to renew for the following year. She usually ended up taking questions she wasn’t ready for. “They would always ask me questions about tax forms,” she said, laughing. “I would say, ‘Please hold.’”

There was a lot about that job Katie didn’t know much about. It was clear early on that basketball might be a better future. “There were about ten of us and everyday we would have to post how much we sold and I would be the lowest,” she said. “I had no idea what I was doing.”

Elaine Powell had her job down pat. She worked at a Sonic restaurant in her home state of Louisiana. What did she do for “America’s Drive-In?” Everything from a carhop (serving food to customers at their car) to taking orders at the window. Just the thought of Sonic burgers and fries reminds her of a time she'd rather forget. “I don’t like eating Sonic anymore,” Elaine said. Elaine will be happy to know Sonic hasn’t found its way into Michigan yet.

While her teammates have worked through some frustrating first-time jobs, Ivory Latta has had the good life. “I’ve never had a job so I guess I can consider this my first job and it’s cool,” she said. Latta’s normal workday is nothing like 9-to-5. She has either practice or a game, but that’s about it. “After practice you have the whole day to do what you want. I don’t have to file papers or anything like that,” she said. “I just come to work for however long the boss wants us here and then I leave.”

Having a boss like Bill Laimbeer can be tough and demanding, so it’s not like she’s on vacation. She also had extra weightlifting sessions after practice. On game days at The Palace, she doesn’t get home until 11 p.m. But she also gets the opportunity to travel across the country doing what she enjoys best, playing basketball. How’s that for a first job?