There are so many possible roads to take when trying to decide what you want to do to earn a living. Everyone needs a certain amount of money to achieve and maintain their desired style of living; choosing an occupation, no matter how short term, is an important decision. When entering the work-force (maybe you’re 16 or 17) every job or extracurricular activity can affect the likelihood of employment opportunities. I think it’s extremely important to do something that you are passionate about even if it means making a little less money than you’d prefer to make. Happiness with your job has potential to keep morale high and make other aspects of life more enjoyable.

            Keeping this in mind: I was 16 when I dropped out of high school to try to achieve an education that I thought would amount to further higher education prospects; I earned an Associate’s Degree, but not until I was 19. I was in charge of funding my community college endeavor, so it was clear to me after a short time that I would need a form of income in order to pay my bills, have transportation, and get the education I craved. The only place that would hire me was Friendly’s Restaurant which was situated in a lower middle class neighborhood within a town in Southern New Jersey called Bridgeton.

                                     

            Friendly’s was a difficult environment to learn how to be a good waitress; I struggled badly in the beginning because there was constant competition to get assigned to the “good tables”. Most of my co-workers didn’t like that I was of a higher class and that I had plans to “get out” and escape, so I ended up being trained by an older gentleman. I didn’t know what I was in for. He pushed me ridiculously hard and showed me the way to properly interact with the public, my customers; how to be liked by management and how to get them to respect me; and how to do things in the most efficient and effective way. This guy really knew the ropes of the serving side of the restaurant business; he taught me the best of the best. After working there for 3 months I served a late night snack to a couple of women who, at the end of mealtime wrap-up, offered me a job at a much more mature restaurant in a much nicer location – and they taught me to serve alcohol.

           At Brad’s Red Tavern I was trained in a more classy way, was taught all about sprits and beer running, and got my “good waitress” footing down. I was so well trained that when I went away to University I was able to obtain a position at a fancy restaurant called Culinaria; it’s located in Wilmington, Delaware. I was directed to conduct myself in a much more professional service manner and as a result I was walking out of a 5 hour shift with $200+ in my pocket; I loved it. The environment, the food, the performance, and the presentation in general were impeccable.They have a wonderful reputation and I was so glad to be part of it!

            I had discovered in myself a love of 1. feeding others; 2. making a fine-dining experience a most enjoyable one for everyone involved; and 3. repeatable instances where I feel that I can provide a mealtime interaction that people will later tell their friends about and want to return to. I like being in constant contact with people for whom I am providing a service; I have a passion for people.

               

                                This is what I looked like during this phase in my life.

            When I emerge on the other side of my Bachelors Degree I will be in a fair amount of student loan debt. There are some options of where I can put my energy to earn a living for at least a few years, but one position that always has a way of welcoming me back... It may sound silly, but my dream job would be waitressing at a fine dining restaurant where my talents get recognized and appreciated. It would certainly ease my financial woes for a few years and, I can say with relatively little reservation, that I would enjoy the very honest work. : )