The girl who devotes herself to
bookkeeping, if she has special ability, may occupy an important business
position.

In whatever capacity she may be employed, the earnest and competent
office-worker will find herself highly valued and well paid for her share
of responsibility in the world of financial and commercial development.

CHAPTER V

LEARNING AFTER THE POSITION IS FOUND

The first few days, sometimes even the first few weeks, are often a little
difficult for the girl who has found a position and goes to work for the
first time. But she can take with her a few simple resolutions which will
make most of her difficulties disappear and which may even change them into
helps rather than hindrances. She can remember that all the responsible
people she knows have had these same difficulties and have overcome them.
This thought will encourage her to believe that what others have done she
can do also. There is much that she may gain from this new position. It is
like an open door whereby she may enter a new world.

The girl who is in her first position will find that she must adjust
herself to conditions very different from those of home and school life.
At home all her personal concerns have been of supreme importance, and
she has been the object of unceasing love and care. At school her best
interests have still been consulted, and she has been taught how both to
work and play. She now begins to give back value for the care which has
been taken of her at home and the teaching which she has received at
school. After she is able to work for herself, it is really no one else's
duty to support her. She cannot expect that busy people in the office or
workroom will stop to listen to her. If she is feeling dull or discouraged,
or if something has gone wrong in her private affairs, these things have
nothing to do with her fellow-workers. They also have their private
affairs. Therefore she must learn to be cheerful, not to talk about her own
troubles, and to be, in brief, a grown-up, sensible, considerate person.

Two illustrations may help the girl to understand this difference between
life in paid employment and school days or life at home. A girl once was
offered a position in a large establishment by the man who was the head
of the business. She had certain training and gifts which made him believe
that she could do good work in his business. After her appointment she
found that she was under the direction of th