“I have been working as a salesman for three years and I have been doing this while going to school full time.

I am a student of the ninth grade and came third in my class in the December exams. I come to work after school at 3pm and work at a garments shop till 9pm. I have to do my homework after I am done at the shop.

I have to work to help my family and I cannot give up on my studies because that is my passion. I hope to clear my matric exams with good marks so I can get admission to a good college. I want to join the Pakistan Air Force and I know I will have to work hard to achieve my goals. The owner of the shop I work at is a good man and gave me two weeks off to study for my final exams.

Working as a salesman teaches you a lot. I consider the women that come to the shop my sisters and mothers. I believe respect is the key to success. Once a woman asked for loose change for a Rs1,000 note. When I handed her two Rs500 notes she insisted I give her new ones. I was new at the time and did not know how the world works. When she left I realised she had stolen Rs6,000 from the cash box.

That taught me to be more attentive at work and to not humour everything a customer asks. But that does not mean you should be dishonest.

Customers often forget their wallets or mobile phones at the shop and we try to get in touch with them to give them back. That’s how things work in a market. Be respectful and be careful”.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2016