Inspiring Stories of America’s Workers

My husband and I talked a lot recently about careers and our place in the workforce.  We both have been public employees since college and have loved our jobs.  There has been a little bit of ups and downs through the years but we both feel like we are making a difference in the world and that is what keeps us going.   Recently  we visited the leader in workforce management solutions, Kronos, and watched a few of their latest American Worker Videos. This series celebrates the American Workforce and allows us to get a glimpse into the personal stories of people who work jobs that we all come to rely upon but may not be recognized as much as they should.   Take Jennifer Miller, Retail Sales Associate MJ Christensen Diamonds as an example. 

Jennifer Miller is a humanitarian, world traveler and jewelry sales specialist from Chicago. She loves working in an industry where she gets to see how jewelry bring people together.  If you think about it, being successful in jewelry sales is a bit like being a psychologist.  You have to have a “good pair of ears” as Jennifer puts it.  One of her most memorable stories is of a couple in their 70s – the woman had overcome her fear and was finally ready to get her ears pierced. Her husband bought her a pair of diamond earrings and Jennifer got them champagne to celebrate the occasion She feels being a part of someone’s special moment is what her job is all about.

Last year Jennifer worked as a volunteer in Uganda with the BeadforLife program, whose mission is to create sustainable opportunities for women to lift their families out of extreme poverty.  She went to work with the women who create jewelry and then sell it to BredForLife to help raise awareness for the eradication of extreme poverty.  Working with the program allows Jennifer to take her skills used in jewelry to serve a bigger purpose.

Here is her story:

You can watch this story and more of the “1 in one hundred million” Web Series videos on Kronos’ website. Each one has been inspiring.  I also love the video about zookeeper, Jenny Theuman.  There a lot that goes on behind the scenes at a zoo.  There is a lot of science that happens.  One of the reasons that I loved her story is because she didn’t really enjoy school growing up.  I come across reluctant learners every year as a teacher.  I love finding examples of people who may not have loved school but who end up teaching others about what they love.  For Jenny she now teaches people about animals, she is a lifelong learner.

This is what inspires me.

I hope you join in the conversation on social media using the hashtag #1in100MM and watch some of the  videos in the “1 in one hundred million” Web Series to find something that inspires you!