I find that getting into a new line of work is always a bit jarring. Not only in how one's schedule changes, but in re-learning everything you need to know again. Everything from the new workflow, to learning about the company that you work for and the ones that they do business with. With that being said, learning a new trade is much the same, but a hair more. Not only are you learning a new job, you're learning a new industry in its entirety. Learning how to make something from scratch with a torch, a wrench, a welder, or a laser. The ladder of these situations is the one I find myself in, and it has been great.
My name is Thomas, and I'm an apprentice jeweler. I've been working at Regency Jewelers for almost 7 months at this point. I really never thought that I'd get into an industry like this, but then again I'd suppose that few people ever know exactly what they will do in their late teens and early 20s. There is a lot to cover in this blog, 7 months of missed blogs and all, but that just means that the upcoming blogs will have a lot of detail in them, and we might as well start with this one.
March: There was a lot to get to in March. Not only because I was just starting to work, but I also was getting in not long after St. Valentines Day. Jewelry stores tend to be busiest from around October to February. Not only from people buying gifts for loved ones for both Christmas and St. Valentines Day, but also from the repairs and the alterations immediatly thereafter. So even though I was coming on board at the end of the "rush season" as it were, there was still a considerable amount of work on my apprentice master's plate. As such I spent much of March working on the Basics. Changing watch baterries, identifying different tools at the workbench, learning how designs are made and ordered, identifying different precious stones, and then sorting said precious stones. I'd honestly say that I spent most of March sifting through and sorting emeralds by both cut and size. For the first month in a new trade, I'd say that it was both interesting and just grueling enough to test whether or not I would be able to make it in this industry.
Looking at the time, I do have to wrap this up. Even though part of me would like to wax and wane for the next hour about the first six months here, I do have other dedications to attend to. Though I've never done something like this before, I must admit I am looking foreward to whenever I can post again. There was a lot that happened in April, and I am excited to get into that next time. With all that being said, I thank you if you made it to the end and hope that you have a fine day.
Sincerely
-Thomas R. Hildreth.
