Last summer I started working for a handyman company in my hometown to make some extra cash before I came back to Auburn.

While I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, and I only worked there for a short time, I learned a lot of lessons that I’ll be able to use for the rest of my life.

Small Tasks

When I started working for this company, I thought most days would be spent on a team project doing big builds or renovations, but that wasn’t the case. A lot of the work I did for people wasn’t super complicated tasks that required special tools and experience. For the most part, they were just things the customer didn’t want to do themselves. Whether it’s cleaning gutters, tightening a doorknob, or putting up some shelves, the majority of maintenance issues can be fixed with a ladder and a screwdriver. This showed me that those little problems irritating us can usually be fixed fairly quickly if we just take the time to do them. 

 Know-How

When we’re young, tying our shoes seems impossible until someone takes the time to show us how it’s done. I found this to be true for a lot of the work I did too. When I first started, my only experiences building things were the times I had helped my friends assemble their furniture from Ikea. The thought of building a back-yard patio or even replacing a kitchen light switch seemed so complicated before, but after being shown the steps, you realize it isn’t hard to do most projects; it’s just knowing where to start. Luckily for me, the people I worked with were understanding and eager to share what they knew. 

Taking Notice

I think once you’ve worked a job that teaches you how to make or fix everyday things, you start to notice those things more and more. I am definitely more aware of how a deck or front porch is put together after over a month of staining, painting, and building them. I feel like I appreciate little things more now as well, like flipping a switch to turn on the lights or having a properly installed toilet (yes, installing one is as gross as it sounds), because I now know all the effort that goes in to making those things work.

Working as a handyman in a small town taught me a lot of useful real-life skills, but it also helped me see more of the community I live in. I got to meet and talk with a lot of people as I worked on whatever issues they had at their house, and it was nice knowing that I was doing something that had an immediate positive impact on someone’s day. Overall, I’m glad I was able to have a job that left me with skills I’ll continue to use well after I stop working there. 

 Be well, Auburn. 

Photography: Morgan G.