I applied to Panera Bread after I graduated from high school. They hired me almost immediately and asked if I could work the opening shift full time from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.
With that request, I grabbed my hat and name tag and tightly tied my hair into buns at 4 in the morning, anticipating the thrills of my very first job.
As I approached the building and pulled on the heavy doors, I came to the realization that they were locked. Only one lady, on the older side, was seen through the glass window. I knocked on the door for a total of 5 minutes and she eventually came.
She greeted me and then told me to wash my hands and grab an apron. But where was the sink? And where do I find an apron?
She stared at me like I should know where all of these items were, as if it wasn’t my first day on the job.
Needless to say, this elderly lady made me cry on my 30 minute break because I felt stupid and out of place.
I was never the person who didn’t know what was going on and everything changed when I walked into that cramped, hot kitchen on June 9, 2022.
The first few months were hard on the feet and mentally draining. The morning shifts were full of older people who I had no relationship with, my training was unhelpful, the managers would guilt me into working on my days off, and the customers were rude and impatient.
It was so bad that I had a countdown of shifts left of the summer in my notes app because I was stressed, exhausted, and ready to endure school once again over the stresses of serving ungrateful people overpriced soup and sandwiches.
I know most people are probably thinking: Why don’t you just quit?
I’ve considered it extensively, and after befriending some coworkers, I found out they have too. Some of them have actually quit, but I refused to give up.
At first it was to prove to myself that I am strong and capable of enduring difficult situations such as this, but along the way, I met so many great people and established some great traits that I am so proud of myself for.
Confrontation used to scare me, but I have conquered my fear and do not let the harsh words of others ruin my day anymore.
Although I am unable to blatantly voice my opinion to the people on the other side of the sliding glass window, I have learned patience and the ability to remain calm in the frequent unpleasant situations of raised voices and unnecessary curse words.
During situations like this, it is important to have a support system.
Several of my managers and coworkers that have acted as my support system have moved onto better things and though I am happy for them, I feel sad for myself.
Earlier last week, I said goodbye to one of my managers. In a hug she told me she is proud of me for the person that I have become, and that she knows I will do great things.
Through this job, I have met people who understand the struggles of the customer service industry but also encourage me to keep moving forward.
I know that it’s not ideal to serve and clean up after people who don’t appreciate it, but I believe it’s important that everyone experience this type of environment because it could make you a stronger person and help you form lasting relationships with others who do understand.
I almost wish working a customer service job in your teen years was a requirement, because then those ignorant customers probably wouldn’t treat you as badly.
Even though I cried after almost every shift during my first month there, I wouldn’t change a thing, because with every tear shed, a new lesson was learned.
And sometimes that lesson comes in the form of a customer throwing food in your face or calling you names, but it will only make you stronger and add to your experience in the working world. It could even give you a story to tell in the future.
Several students here have to pass the time at these customer service jobs just to afford an education.While trying to fund their education, though, they’ve also earned some valuable lessons. Much like sophomore student, Carolina Mendoza, who stated “working in customer service can be both positive and negative. You can improve your social skills, but sometimes your customers aren’t always satisfied and they can treat you like you aren’t a person. But, it’s a great source of learning because it teaches you to deal with these outcomes early on.”
I know one day I will leave the food service industry behind and commence the next phase of my working life. However, I will never forget my experiences, good or bad, because they helped me become a better version of myself and make lifelong friends in the process.
There will always be days where you have mean customers, pushy managers, and long drive thru lines, but remember the many lessons you will learn, the people you will meet, and the incredible places you’ll go because of it.