For the past two years, I (Cara) have been apart of the Southgate Coins family. Sadly though, the time has come for me to leave the store, and concentrate on my future career. This past May, I graduated from UNR with a degree in Secondary Education. This month, I will be starting my student teaching internship at a local middle school. Saturday, August 14, 2010 will be my last day as a Southgate Coins employee.
I have had many great experiences here, and have learned more than I ever thought I would while working here. Read on to learn more about my experiences as a Southgate Coins employee.
When I was hired at Southgate Coins, I was fresh from working a seasonal job at a local golf course in Lake Tahoe, and had no prior knowledge about collectible coins. I had no idea what to expect on my first day, but I realized (about ten minutes into my shift) that this job was going to be completely different than any other job I had worked before. There were numerous routines I had to remember, like the daunting task of learning about a huge inventory of coins, as well as adding to my ever-growing numismatic lexicon. Over time, the routines I thought I would never remember became just that—routines. Just like that, I was able to talk to customers about the inventory as if I had been interested in numismatics all my life.
Being an employee of Southgate Coins is hard work, but through it all, I have developed and learned skills that will help me become successful at any job I take on in the future. In addition to the huge education I’ve received in the field of numismatics (and the running of a successful small business), I’ve also learned that a sincere apology can go a long way when you have made a mistake, and accepting responsibility for your errors—instead of trying to make excuses—is the best choice one can make. Working at Southgate Coins has reassured me that I am capable at completing any job I put my mind to.
Even though I always had a full to-do list, I found that at Southgate, we always make time to have a ton of fun. One of the most fun times I had working here was the Southgate Coins’ Invitational Golf Tournament that took place in May of 2009. I had a blast playing against our now former CCCCOA treasurer and it was great to have all the girls cheering me on. Of course, it didn’t hurt that I won!
Some of my other favorite days at work were the dress-up days, like Kentucky Derby Day and Halloween. It was always exciting to see what each girl would show up wearing, and the reactions we received from customers were great. I also enjoyed Free-Lunch Fridays—it was always a special treat at the end of each week that I looked forward to, and it allowed everyone to catch up on in each other’s lives outside of work.
As you can tell, I have so many pleasant memories of working here. But, these events and this job were only possible because of Rusty and Marie Goe, the owners of Southgate Coins. I want to say thank you to both of them for everything that they have done for me the past two years. They have helped me grow and develop as a worker and as a person, which is something I sincerely appreciate. I cannot thank them enough for all the knowledge that they have given me and everything that they have taught me.
Rusty and Marie, I appreciate you for taking a chance by hiring me and working with my sometimes-not-so-flexible schedule. You gave me a secure place to come work everyday, as well as a caring work family I could confide in. It has been a privilege to work in your store, and I am extremely grateful to you for the opportunity.
I also want to give a big thank you to Maya and Nicole (the other two “senior” Southgate girls). Workdays would have been nowhere near as fun without the both of you. Maya, I want to thank you for always being calm, collected, and helpful. You were always there to answer my questions, and to give me advice when I needed it—that is something for which I am very thankful. Nicole, thank you for all the laughter, the help, and the ability to vent to you when I needed to.
I do not know what I would’ve done with out the both of you. You are amazing, talented, and wonderful girls, and I hope the best for you two in your future endeavors. Please keep in touch, because I will miss you both dearly.
It is bittersweet to have to leave Southgate Coins. I am excited to start a new chapter in my life, but extremely sad to be leaving a job that has taught me so much over the past two years. Working at Southgate Coins has been a very eventful experience with a sometimes-intimidating learning curve, but I would not have wanted it any other way. I know I will always be a “Southgate girl,” and I will never forget the events that took place, the skills that I gained, or the people that I came to know and love while working here. It will be hard not coming to the store everyday, but I know I can always stop by and say hi.
Farewell, Southgate Coins. And to Rusty, Marie, Maya, Nicole, and the two “babies,” Rebecca and Akimi. You will be surely missed.
Cara