Laura Fine

Illinois State senator, 9th district

Laura Fine, state senator of Illinois's 9th District, was 15 at the time of her first job scooping ice cream.

"It was a lot of fun," says Fine. "I ate a lot of ice cream."

Aside from the ice cream, Fine says she also learned valuable professional skills she still uses today, including responsibility and the importance of a schedule.

"If you're on the schedule, [your coworkers] depend on you," says Fine.

She also learned the importance of service, a lesson that is necessary to her political work today.

"You can't make everyone happy, even at an ice cream shop," says Fine with a laugh.

Her advice to youth beginning their first jobs?

"Once you get your foot in the door, you realize work can be a really good thing. Everything you do prepares you for your next step."