Howdy, what can I get started for you today? – is how I’ve been asked to address all our customers :)
But don’t worry, I’m not trying to get you to buy anything today. Rather I’d just like to tell you about my on-campus job. I’ve been a student worker for about six months in an on-campus food service position. I’ve been brewing on these thoughts for a bit, so no more de-latte-ing, let me start espresso-ing some of my thoughts on what I’ve experienced and learned!
If that last sentence wasn’t obvious enough, I work at a coffee place/cafe, which gets a ton of foot traffic with students, right as we open at 7:30 AM. I’m not a morning person, so those 7 AM opening shifts are HARD. But that brings me to my first point, of how easy it is to get shifts that work around your class schedule. While that opening shift is early, it fits perfectly with my schedule of afternoon and evening classes. I also work at a location that isn’t open on weekends, another huge plus for me because I value my weekends so much. I use the time to reset and regroup from the busy week and relax, so not having to work during them is great.
Balancing working, school, clubs, and friends, along with your personal life can be a lot. So it helps to have a job so close to my classes and apartment, and the perks that come with it. I get meal swipes to use anywhere on campus and free drinks all the time, which saves both time and money. There have been so many times when I’m coming back after a long day and being able to pick up food, essentially for free using a meal swipe (girl math), is just so convenient. But trust me those long days are LONGGGG. I did not know someone could get this tired, and I’m not even doing hard manual labor. But after a 7-hour shift of being on my feet and yelling orders, walking around campus for 4 hours of class, and a meeting, I come back home exhausted. It’s hard to meet up with friends after or do a lot of homework. Also walking around with a coffee-stained shirt is a little bit annoying :/ However I’ve learned a great deal about time management and following through with plans because I need to take advantage of my free time and plan around my shifts.
But all that has taught me a lot too, since this job is my first job, and with that comes a lot of lessons. I’ve learned how to work with people of all ages and personality types. I actually really like all my co-workers and I say actually because I feel like that’s somewhat rare to get along with ALL the people you work with. Everyone is super sweet and always willing to help me as I still am learning a lot. And not just with other team members, but with customers as well. I get to speak with a ton of different people every day, and my conversation and people skills are definitely advancing. Like I am NOT an eye contact person, but to supply good customer service, eye contact, and making the person feel seen and understood is huge. So I have to put my big girl pants on and make the eye contact. Even though I’d still rather not, I’m getting better at it in other parts of my life. Honestly, it’s getting easier cause it’s almost as though I’m playing a role, very Papa’s Pizzeria coded (ifykyk). However there are always bad customer interactions, and getting used to those is a little jarring too. Since I don’t behave like that, I naively thought other people were just as kind and respectful. But people are demanding, pushy, and straight-up rude. Which again, is just another lesson to learn, cause people are going to be rude wherever you go, so managing your behavior with them and how to move forward has been something else I’m quickly grasping.
At the end of the day, this job has definitely made me a more confident person, and the feeling of self-sufficiency that comes with it is gratifying. I may complain any chance I get but I do enjoy it and all the learning opportunities that come with it!
Now, your total will be $6.50, will it be cash or card? ;)