Funny, my history professor in college had a simiar story.
He had graduated from college with a degree in history and was having trouble finding a job.
In the meantime, he was doing roadwork. Yes, nasty, stinky, full of tar roadwork.
He heard of the job opening teaching history at the college I attended, called and got an interview for the same day.
He left work and had no time to go home and clean up, so he showed up to his interview dirty. Obviously professional attire would have been expected.
The interviewer was so surprised that he was asked about it and he told them that he was doing what he had to do to make a living while looking for the job he was qualified for.
He got the job right then and there. They appreciated his work ethic. And, years later, when I was a student, he was still there.
And I learned the hell out of world history. Geography included. I could at one time label the entire world map of every country, mountain range and river. One continent at a time, for sure, but I REALLY learned world history. Not multiple choice, but the student labels a blank map and answers essay questions from scratch.
I know I really earned my "A" for that class!