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Work in progress : confessions of a busboy, dishwasher, caddy, usher, factory worker, bank teller, corporate tool, and priest Cover Image Book

Work in progress : confessions of a busboy, dishwasher, caddy, usher, factory worker, bank teller, corporate tool, and priest / James Martin, SJ.

Martin, James, 1960- (author.). HarperCollins (Firm), (publisher.).

Summary:

In this memoir, James Martin recounts his experiences working in a variety of entry-level jobs during his youth, including positions as a busboy, dishwasher, caddy, usher, factory worker, bank teller, and corporate employee, before entering the Jesuit order. Set primarily in the 1960s and 1970s, the narrative describes his lack of prior experience in these roles and the challenges he encountered while learning workplace responsibilities. The work presents a coming-of-age account that reflects on employment, personal development, and the formative impact of early work experiences. Through these episodes, the author considers themes such as responsibility, maturity, interpersonal relationships, and ethical conduct. Photographs from the author's early life are included.

Record details

  • ISBN: 9780062694485
  • ISBN: 0062694480
  • Physical Description: xi, 352 pages : illustrations, portraits ; 24 cm
  • Edition: First edition.
  • Publisher: New York, NY : HarperOne, an Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, [2026]

Content descriptions

Formatted Contents Note:
How the bicentennial wagon train almost got me fired -- How not to be a shiftless troublemaker -- How poltergeists, aliens, and bigfoot prevented me from getting rich -- How to avoid getting struck by lightning when standing next to a bag of metal poles -- How to pop corn for ten hours and not lose your mind -- How to be a man and not a mouse -- How not to sacrifice your life for a summer job -- How I became a (sort of) stockbroker and, then, an adult -- How I graduated from college and almost met Grace Kelly -- How my last summer job turned out -- How the ice cream inn prepared me for life.

Search for related items by subject

Subject:
Martin, James, 1960-
Jesuits > United States > Biography.
Catholic Church > Clergy.
Young adults > Employment > United States.
Part-time employment > United States > History > 20th century.
Coming of age.
Priests > United States > Biography.
Work > Religious aspects > Catholic Church.
Genre:
Autobiographies.

Available copies

  • 18 of 20 copies available at NC Cardinal. (Show)
  • 0 of 1 copy available at Onslow County Public Library.

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  • 2 current holds with 20 total copies.
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MARC Record

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5050 . ‡aHow the bicentennial wagon train almost got me fired -- How not to be a shiftless troublemaker -- How poltergeists, aliens, and bigfoot prevented me from getting rich -- How to avoid getting struck by lightning when standing next to a bag of metal poles -- How to pop corn for ten hours and not lose your mind -- How to be a man and not a mouse -- How not to sacrifice your life for a summer job -- How I became a (sort of) stockbroker and, then, an adult -- How I graduated from college and almost met Grace Kelly -- How my last summer job turned out -- How the ice cream inn prepared me for life.
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