“Clunk”, “clunk”, “clunk”… I rolled up in my new car, or new to me car. None of my friends looked intrigued by my 89 Honda Prelude. Although I was the first of my friends to start driving it didn’t feel as accomplishing as it should have, and it was all because of what I drove. I knew that I would never be able to upgrade with the job I currently had, but I didn’t know how I would find a better job. The opportunity showed itself at the end of my junior year.

“So… what would you say are your best assets?” the interviewer asked. I thought long and hard about this question knowing that it could affect the outcome of the whole interview.

“Well, I’m a hard working, intelligent, dependable individual” Was this a good answer? It was too late to change it now. I walked out of the office with a million thoughts running through my mind. My only chance to make enough money and save up for a respectable vehicle was behind me. The only thing I could do now is hope and wait. The next day I received a call from a number I had never seen before; this should be the job responding. I answered and listened intently, nearly shaking in my shoes. I got the job! A full-time summer job that pays $11 per hour would surely give me enough money, as long as I managed it correctly.

For the next two months I got up at eight every day, prepared for work, and headed out. Shoveling gravel and doing construction every day wasn’t easy nor was it fun; but proving that I could carry out my job with efficiency and in a timely matter would only prove to my boss that I could handle bigger and better things. This came true when my boss started putting me on jobs with a co-worker that was very experienced and was doing some of the more brain over brawn jobs. This co-worker later told me that he had actually chose me to work with because he saw that I was the hardest working person in the company. Only three weeks in and I had already proven myself. This meant a lot to me and I knew that my hard work had paid off.

Summer was nearing the end and I was liking the looks of my bank account. I knew that I would be able to upgrade my car out of the 80s. The last week of summer approached and I hoped that I wouldn’t have to clunk my way onto school campus ever again. The time came and I finally started searching cars on craigslist. I made a few calls but everyone ended up the same way, yes the way where I’m still clunking around in my honda. Until finally I found a perfect SUV in my price range. I called up the owner and finally a car with no problems for an affordable price.

Is that yours? How much did you have to spend to get that? Wow! It’s nicer than I thought. These being the words of my friends when I roll up in my excellent condition 97 Chevy Blazer. Finally I can claim this to be mine. I can proudly say “Yes that is my car”. Not only do other people not look down on my car anymore, but this vehicle is all I ever needed in a car whether it be four wheel drive, comfort, or overall looks. This just goes to show that when I set my mind to anything I can make it come true. Whether it be saving up for a new car in the length of only one summer, or powering my way through high school with good enough grades to move onto to a worthy college. All it takes is a little hard work and dedication and even that hardest of accomplishments can be obtained.

Working an eight hour job five days a week may not have been my ideal plan for summer, but working for something you truly want fells a lot better than having something given to you. Whenever I am dedicated to something I will always work my hardest to make it happen. Working hard for something makes the reward just that much better.