* Farmhand: Steinbeck grew up in Salinas, California, a farming community, and worked on ranches as a young man. This experience profoundly influenced his writing, particularly in novels like "Of Mice and Men" and "The Grapes of Wrath."
* Reporter: He worked as a reporter for the _Salinas Californian_ and the _New York American_, which provided him with valuable skills in observation and storytelling.
* Lab Assistant: Steinbeck also worked as a lab assistant at the Stanford University Hopkins Marine Station, where he learned about marine biology, which later informed his writing, such as "The Pearl."
These experiences, coupled with his innate talent and passion for writing, ultimately led him to become a renowned author.