Bob Evan's Restaurant
At the end of my sophomore year in high school, I figured it was time for me to get a real job. Not a paper slinging carrier, but a job that required more than 25 hours a month. The job market was tough, but I landed a job as a host at a Bob Evan's restaurant.
I dreaded the first few months of that job. I hated asking people for money as a paper carrier, yet as a host and cashier that was my job. There were also a lot of people that came and ate, especially on weekends. My shy and introverted self was overwhelmed, yet I pushed through.
This job was way out of my comfort zone. At first. Starting out I stuttered, was nervous, and was flustered with large groups. I didn't have the flowing people skills or confidence the other employees had.
Yet things began to change. I recognized faces of "regulars" when they came in. I started to have small talk with customers. I became great at handling complaints. I became more and more confident with myself and with customers. Our store won store of the year award the year I was hired, 2008.
One day I was driving to work on a hot Sunday summer morning and the car stalled. I had to wave people around me as I called my brother to figure out how to start up the old car again. After jiggling the air conditioning and radio a bit, I was able to get the car started. I was relieved so much, but also excited. I realized this and thought to myself, "why am I excited? I have to go stand for 9 hours and work." It was this very moment that I realized that I actually enjoyed my job. It wasn't helping to bus tables, nor cleaning the restrooms, nor taking out the trash that I was excited about, but rather the people. I wanted to hear what the "regulars" were up to and I wanted to see my fellow employees.
The job was busy and exhausting, but I made many connections with people that I keep to this day. I thought it was strange at the time, but people kept commenting on how I have "great bedside manners."
I realized that whatever I do later in life, I wanted to be working with people.
I dreaded the first few months of that job. I hated asking people for money as a paper carrier, yet as a host and cashier that was my job. There were also a lot of people that came and ate, especially on weekends. My shy and introverted self was overwhelmed, yet I pushed through.
This job was way out of my comfort zone. At first. Starting out I stuttered, was nervous, and was flustered with large groups. I didn't have the flowing people skills or confidence the other employees had.
Yet things began to change. I recognized faces of "regulars" when they came in. I started to have small talk with customers. I became great at handling complaints. I became more and more confident with myself and with customers. Our store won store of the year award the year I was hired, 2008.
One day I was driving to work on a hot Sunday summer morning and the car stalled. I had to wave people around me as I called my brother to figure out how to start up the old car again. After jiggling the air conditioning and radio a bit, I was able to get the car started. I was relieved so much, but also excited. I realized this and thought to myself, "why am I excited? I have to go stand for 9 hours and work." It was this very moment that I realized that I actually enjoyed my job. It wasn't helping to bus tables, nor cleaning the restrooms, nor taking out the trash that I was excited about, but rather the people. I wanted to hear what the "regulars" were up to and I wanted to see my fellow employees.
The job was busy and exhausting, but I made many connections with people that I keep to this day. I thought it was strange at the time, but people kept commenting on how I have "great bedside manners."
I realized that whatever I do later in life, I wanted to be working with people.