Personal Narrative: My First Job

I got my first job working at Panera Bread on South Beach as a cashier at the age of seventeen. It wasn’t until I transferred to the North Miami Café where I began to feel what it was like to work and have a job. I will never forget the words of my co-worker, Dan, when my manager mentioned that I was transferring to another café. “Oh, yea you’re going to have a rude awakening over there.” At first, I brushed off his comment, but as I began to go in depth about what he said, I began to realize what he said was true! We all knew that that particular café was always busy. Unlike our café, with construction being done at the time and our location, our café’s pace was calm compared to the North Miami café. We had nothing on them! As a result, it was true. My first day at my new café was staggering. I had to take a huge order, the line was to the door, and it was only 10:30 A.M. which left me with seven more hours until I was able to clock out.

Nonetheless, the year and two months I was working for Panera, I attained so much knowledge about current events, personalities, and most importantly myself. My first job molded my personality. Even though I’ve always had manners, I found myself greeting by passers I walk past and even greeting my professors with “Hello, how are you” more frequently because of the repetitious

phrase at work once you see customers. Having my first job taught me how to deal with customer problems and inquiries. Furthermore, I noticed myself holding mature conversations with managers from different stores, CEO of companies, and even retired folks. I learned a lot just by talking to regular and loyal customers.

Having my first job taught me that I don’t have put up with anything I didn’t want to. I am old enough to make my own choices, which gives me my privilege to do what I want. I’ve also learned that people are going to be people and that customers are always “right” which can lead to customers being snobby and taking advantage of the motto. Because of that, I contemplated when I got home and let situations at work interfere with my mood or make me feel any less of myself. I seem to always have trouble with that.

As a result, I decided to leave Panera Bread and work for a job that matched my personality. I am employed at Muvico in Hialeah as an Usher and at the American Airlines Arena as an Event Services Greeter in the heart of downtown Miami. I treated my first job as a guinea pig. The well-known phrase “You have to fail in order to succeed” played a major role to get me where I am today. It’s like Started from the bottom like the successful rapper Drake says. People usually start from the bottom before achieving their goals. Panera Bread prepared me for the two jobs I have now, which is high in customer service, salutation, and accuracy, which thankfully am well experienced in.

I’ve always wanted to say “I love my job and I love what I do” so I decided for my health to resign from all retail jobs that puts me under so much pressure and hassle.

Even if the pay is ample, I will not be able to put my best foot forward at those types of jobs. The more money, the more problems that will arise and as a full-time college student, I undeniably want to avoid as many complications and stress possible. As a result, my first job saved me time, revealed my flaws and strengths, and showed me not to settle but to proceed in seeking grander opportunities that will encounter with my needs and will be harmonious with my demeanor and for

myself.