My father always told me: “All work is noble.” He wasn't wealthy, but he earned a reasonable living. Thanks to his effort, I was able to go to an art college. I, however, wanted to do something different, something more interesting --- I was special!
After graduation, I moved to New York in search of a graphic designer job. It was winter and I only brought money to support myself for about a month. I wasn't worried --- I was sure I'd find a fantastic job immediately.
Within a few weeks, though, I found myself wandering around the streets having been rejected by every design office in town. My hostel rent was almost gone and I hadn't eaten for days. “How had I reached this point?” I wondered as I shuddered in my thin jacket. I was just about to give up when my dad called. He suggested I get a job in a restaurant until something else came along. At first, pride made me hesitate but I was cold, hungry, and unwilling to go home feeling ashamed and defeated.
I entered a cafe near one of the design offices that had turned me away and asked the manager if they were hiring. She said they were shorthanded, and offered me a job right away. Surprisingly, I found that I really enjoyed serving people. I started making big tips right away. Later, the manager learned that I had a design background and asked me to design the cafe menus. That led to a part-time job at an advertising company.
Previously, I had never considered being a waiter, but there I was. I eventually got my dream design job, but that winter I learned not to make assumptions(假定; 设想) about work.
【小题1】Why did the author go to New York after graduation? (no more than 10 words)【小题2】What does the underlined word “shuddered” mean? (no more than 3 words)
【小题3】Where did the author get a job to support his life after calling his father? (no more than 10 words)
【小题4】How did the author find his job as a waiter? (no more than 5 words)
【小题5】What can you learn from the author's experience? (no less than 10 words and no more than 25 words)