Given the number of help wanted signs out there, those in school have a great opportunity right now to gain valuable experience. Personally, I think students should jump at the chance to work. The summer after my freshman year of college, I didn’t have a plan for what to do. The internship I had been hoping for didn’t pan out, and I didn’t want to spend a summer just lazing around–I had already done that every single summer prior. Given that I hadn’t actually worked a paid job yet, just volunteer work, I decided to find work in my hometown doing retail or food service, earn some of my own money, and finally get the experience that so many of my peers already had.

My first choice was the local running store–given that I’m a competitive runner, I thought that this sales job would end up being more fun than a traditional job. I applied and was accepted. However, they would only work me part time, so I decided to find a second job. Looking back, I admire how I didn’t have any reservations about working two jobs. I just wanted to dive in and explore what it was like to work hard for a summer.

The second job was at Potbelly Sandwich Co., a national food chain. Here I would be doing more strenuous work: mopping the floors, cleaning the toilets, manning the register, closing up shop, etc. With both jobs locked down, I excitedly jumped into it.

I quickly learned how retail and food service jobs are demanding, yet valuable places to work. Working those jobs for a summer served as a great introduction to longer hours and work days, communication with customers, and what it’s like to be on the other side of those daily interactions we all experience. A lot of people might steer away from working these jobs, but many actually seek them out, and I learned why. The work provides a great sense of fulfillment. It might not be the rosiest work, but when you have the opportunity to help make other peoples’ days better by providing excellent service, it doesn’t help just them; their satisfaction reflects back onto you.

I have lots of good memories from that summer. I met a ton of great people, improved my interpersonal skills immeasurably, and made money for the first time. Most notably, I gained a huge appreciation for the ability to grow personally while serving others.

We all have our own personal goals and dreams. While I don’t necessarily see myself working retail and food service for my career, I will always have those industries in my back pocket, whether I need a job during school, or something on the side. And this is because I learned how rewarding it can be to work in those settings. I left that summer with so much respect for those who work in retail and food service, but also with the knowledge that I needed a better idea of what to do. Now, I implore other teens to follow my lead and work a couple jobs for a summer to learn the true value of hard work.

​