Lessons from McDonald's: Why First Jobs Matter

Long before I became a pastor, husband, father, and community leader, I was a high school student working at McDonald's in Cochrane.

Like many young people growing up here, I wanted to earn my own money, gain some independence, and learn what it meant to be responsible. My job at McDonald's wasn't glamorous, but it taught me lessons that have stayed with me for life. I learned the importance of showing up on time, working hard when things got busy, serving customers with respect, and being part of a team. Those experiences helped shape my character and gave me a foundation for the future.

Today, I see a very different reality facing many young people. In fact, my own teenage daughter has experienced how difficult it can be to find a job. Like many students in Cochrane, she has put together resumes, submitted applications, and looked for opportunities to gain work experience, only to discover that entry-level jobs are often hard to come by. As a father, it has given me a firsthand appreciation for the challenges many families are facing.

That should concern all of us.

A first job is about much more than earning a paycheque. It is where many young people learn responsibility, communication, teamwork, and the value of hard work. These early opportunities help build confidence, develop character, and prepare young people for future careers. When those opportunities become scarce, we risk creating barriers for the next generation just as they are beginning their journey into adulthood.

As Cochrane continues to grow, we need an economy that creates opportunity for everyone—including our youth. That means supporting local businesses, encouraging investment, reducing unnecessary red tape, and ensuring Alberta remains the best place in Canada to start and grow a business. When businesses succeed, they create the jobs that allow young people to gain experience and begin building their future.

My story is rooted in Cochrane. I grew up here, worked here, built relationships here, and have spent my adult life serving this community. The lessons I learned working at McDonald's helped shape the values I carry with me today: hard work, personal responsibility, service to others, and gratitude for opportunity.

As I seek the United Conservative Party nomination, I want to help build an Alberta where young people—including my own children—have access to the same opportunities that helped shape my life. Every teenager willing to work hard should have a fair chance to get that first job, develop valuable skills, and begin building a successful future right here in Cochrane.