My son accepted a restocking job at a local electronics company warehouse when he had just graduated college. He had loans to pay and figured the job would temporarily keep him financially afloat until he could find a job in his computer graphics profession. Each evening he came home with stories and conversations he had with colleagues who basically had dead end full time jobs. He had long exchanges with George, the fellow in the stall next to him. During this six month period, I watched my some become more empathetic to someone less fortunate than him. I was amazed at the details he remember and the direction he had given George to help him find a better work situation. The take home message was that no experience is a waste, including listening. I could see the growth that occurred in my son from that encounter.