Name any minimum-wage job and I’ve probably had it, or at least applied for it. Changing diapers? I’ve got that in the bag. Making smoothies? You’re looking at a professional. Need a new pair of flip flops? Get ready for me to share some open-toed knowledge.
For a long time, I looked at these jobs as useless and nothing more than a paycheck in my hands. However as I’m getting older, I realize that they have actually taught me some valuable life lessons.
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Somewhere in between waiting tables and weighing yogurt, I developed a set of skills that I believe will help me in the future.
1) People skills.
Prior to working my first job as a waitress, I had the people skills of a potato. Seriously, the hash browns that my first customer ordered could have probably provided better customer service than I did. But when interacting with customers day in and day out, I became more confident when talking to strangers and eventually developed a liking for it.
2) Patience.
Whether you work in retail, childcare, hospitality, whatever it may be, you know exactly what I’m talking about here. All of these jobs require one skill: the capacity to tolerate any type of personality and accept short delay without want to rip your hair out.
3) How to multi-task.
Need me to seat five separate parties while answering take-out orders, and simultaneously wrapping two tubs worth of silverware? No problem! Just let me go get the cape out of my car first. Let's just say I’m much closer to having superpowers than I was prior to acquiring these jobs.
4) Appreciation.
Once you have been the one serving the food, cleaning the mess, or ringing up the item, you develop a deeper appreciation for the people behind the counter. If you ever catch me being rude to an employee over a simple mistake, call me out and I promise to give you every cent in my wallet because it will never happen.
5) How to network.
You never know which customer could be the recruiter for your next job or who might be your lab partner in next semester's chemistry class. Being genuinely nice to everyone who comes through the door really does pay off. I've met more interesting and important people selling flip flops and handing out yogurt samples than I have at practically any social gatherings I have been to.
6) How to make the most out of every situation.
Yes, there will be many difficult days. I once scrubbed actual poop off of a child, carpet, wall, and cat while nannying. It happens and sometimes you just want to completely lose it, but really all you can do is take a deep breath, laugh, and remember that this too shall pass. On to the next one.
