Hire Lernin’ An Idealist’s Quest Through the Realm of for-Profit Education

As 5:00 p.m. approached, Dan turned his attention to Katie who had been clicking away at her keyboard without making conversation or asking questions since he had returned from lunch.

“You can wind down, Katie. I’ll take over. Your shift is about done.”

“I’m almost done—just need another half hour or so,” she said.

“Let me call Marvin before he leaves for the day and get his approval to have you work another hour today,” Dan said, picking up his phone to make the call.

“No,” Katie responded quickly, stopping her typing for a moment and turning to meet Dan’s eyes. “This is on me—not a biggie. I just need a little more time and want to complete the project before I leave. It will be less than a half hour, and I’m happy to do it.”

“O.k.,” Dan said. “Just start a half hour later tomorrow—I’ll o.k. it on your timecard.”

“Nope,” she insisted. “I’ll do this on my own time—just want to finish what I start.”

“I appreciate it, Katie. But I won’t let you do this on a regular basis—I’m sure you are paid little enough as it is, and I want you to get compensated for your work.”

“No worries, dad,” she quipped. “Just let me do my thing. I’m not a clock watcher and I like what I’m doing. It’s fun.”

Dan smiled, though she could not see it as she had once again turned her attention to her work and was happily clicking away at her keyboard. “She’s a remarkable young woman,” Dan thought to himself. “I hope I can do right by her.”