Growing up, I was always told that taking risks and stepping outside of my comfort zone were good things. As an introverted teenager, though, the idea of trying anything unfamiliar or uncomfortable never appealed to me. I was afraid to put myself out there, so I struggled to make friends at school, constantly afraid that people wouldn’t like me. For a long time, I didn’t worry too much about my reluctance to try new things because I assumed I could simply avoid situations that made me uncomfortable. Now, as a first-year college student, I realize just how unrealistic that mindset was. College offers countless opportunities to meet new people and try new things, but taking advantage of them often means doing something that makes you nervous. I began learning that lesson even before college, when I decided to apply for my first job.
In August 2024, at 16 years old, I applied for a job as a Starbucks barista because I wanted to make fun drinks. I hadn’t considered the less glamorous responsibilities, like cleaning and interacting with customers, but I was excited about the opportunity regardless. Before I could overthink my decision, I submitted my application. The next thing I knew, I was wearing an apron for 20 hours a week at an unfamiliar store.Â
Applying for my first job took a lot of courage, especially because I had never gone through an interview or onboarding process before. During my first few days, I constantly wondered what my coworkers thought of me and whether I was capable of success. At first, I spent most of my time learning and listening, trying to remember the drink recipes and prepare them under pressure. I quickly realized that the job required far more teamwork and interaction with customers and coworkers than I had anticipated, which made me question whether I was suited for the role as an introvert.Â
Fortunately, the amazing people I worked with made those challenges much easier to navigate. On my second shift, my trainer was joking with me and chatting as if we had known each other for years, even though we had just met. As the youngest employee at the store, I initially felt intimidated, but no one ever made me feel less capable because of my age or lack of experience. My trainers taught me tricks for remembering how many pumps of syrup went into each drink and keeping up during busy shifts, while my managers taught me how to remain calm under pressure, advocate for myself when I needed help and appreciate the importance of everything related to coffee. With their support, I gradually came out of my shell and grew more confident in my abilities.Â
Over time, I grew closer to my coworkers, forming some of the most meaningful friendships in my life. I never expected to make such good friends at a high school job, but I am forever grateful that I took a chance on something new. They taught me an incredible amount of things, like not to dwell on messing up one iced coffee, and how to have fun even when things went wrong. They pushed me to take orders on my own to gain experience interacting with customers, and they gave me the freedom to figure out my own system for making drinks, always ready to support me if needed. Many of my coworkers were older than me, and hearing about their life experiences made me feel more prepared for my own future. During our four-hour closing shifts, we joked about our mistakes to keep from getting frustrated, and laughed together over the stupid things we did wrong.
I spent countless nights sweeping the floor while laughing over the headset at an inside joke someone referenced, or debating whether the newest drinks would become popular. I worked alongside people from different backgrounds and stages of life, many of whom I might never have met otherwise, and each had their own impact on me. I would not be the person I am today without their influence. I shared things with them that I had never told anyone else and came to understand them on a much deeper level. Even after a long school day, I never got tired of working late and always looked forward to my shifts because I knew I would get to spend time with my coworkers.
Looking back, I am incredibly grateful that I pushed myself to try something new, especially because my nearly two years at Starbucks changed my life in ways I never expected. Interacting with customers helped me become more outgoing and comfortable talking to people, something I had always struggled with. Without this job, I would never have met my amazing coworkers and shared such a meaningful part of my life with them. Beyond the friendships I made, Starbucks taught me valuable life skills, gave me a better understanding of the workforce and helped me grow into the person I wanted to be. It also gave me something I never expected to miss so much. Since leaving Starbucks this June to go off to college, I continue to miss seeing my coworkers every day and having a place where I could truly be myself and have fun.Â
Trying something new and taking risks can be intimidating, but opening yourself up to new experiences and people can lead to unexpected friendships and opportunities. You never know when someone you meet might become a close friend, a mentor or someone who helps you in your career. If I hadn’t applied to Starbucks, I likely never would have crossed paths with many of my coworkers, who have become people I know I can always turn to for guidance and support. That’s why my advice is simple: Say yes to opportunities, even when you are nervous. At 13, I never would have imagined having the confidence to put myself out there, but now I have friends who are artists, engineers, scientists, businesspeople and best of all, baristas. Sometimes, taking a chance on something new can turn into one of the best decisions of your life.