During the last two years of high school, I was an assistant coach to a 12-year-old girls' volleyball team. I have played club volleyball since fifth grade, but in junior year, I decided it was not in my plan to continue playing for the remainder of my high school years. I knew I did not want to remove myself from the sport, so I became an assistant coach. It was my first job, and unlike most people my age, I loved what I was doing. Twelve-year-olds was the best age to coach because I was the perfect age to be their coach but an older sister figure. Since I was an assistant coach, I was able to be the balance of a fun but instructive coach. At practices or tournaments, I played games and hung out with them, but when we had to concentrate, I gave helpful corrections and advice about their technique. I loved teaching these girls a sport that I have grown up loving and valuable lessons as they navigated their first year of middle school. I would be excited to come to practice ready to listen to all the stories from their weeks at school. While I taught the girls important life lessons, I was learning some individually. I was learning the responsibilities of a job: time management, monthly salary, communication, and leadership. I valued my time as an assistant coach and was thankful to have a first job I truly loved showing up to.