One of the leading figures in the tech world, Tim Cook, shared his humble beginnings and past before sitting in the CEO chair at Apple. Laying the foundation for his successful career, Cook started working at the age of 11. Growing up in a small town, his first job was simple yet full of valuable lessons. Here are the details!

Tim Cook, working from a young age…

Tim Cook grew up in Robertsdale, Alabama, in a small community of just over two thousand people. He started his first job as a newspaper delivery boy at the age of 11. After this experience, at 14, he began working at a local fast-food restaurant. This restaurant, called Tastee Freez, was a popular meeting spot and the place where Cook took his first steps into the business world.

Reflecting on that time, Cook shared, “I used to wear a little hat and apron while working. My hourly wage was only $1.10, which was even below the legal minimum wage back then.” He revealed that his first paycheck was just a little over a dollar.

After this modest start, Cook went on to Auburn University to study engineering. The first personal computer he encountered during his college years sparked his interest in technology. After graduation, Cook worked at various tech companies, including IBM.

In 1998, Cook was invited to Apple by Steve Jobs, where he worked alongside him for 13 years. After Jobs’ passing, Cook became the company’s CEO in 2011. During this time, he managed to bring the work discipline he learned from his childhood all the way to the top of Apple.

As Apple’s leader, Cook revealed that he still practices habits from his childhood, including starting his day at 5 a.m. He uses this time to manage his heavy email traffic and plan his day, saying, “I feel like I can control this part of the day. It’s an ideal time to focus on important matters in silence.”

What do you think of Tim Cook’s impressive journey? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!