Sydney Dever
Lang 120-004
Jessica Hutchman
Personal Narrative
Rites of Passage
Anything from obtaining a driver’s license, graduating from high school, getting a job or moving out of your parents’ house may be consider a rite of passage to someone. I feel that as far as I’ve made it in life so far, working a job was a significant step I have made. Although I graduated high school with college credits, working has taught me many other skills beyond learning how to operate a cash register. It changed the way I view my daily life and I feel that it has matured me as a person more than any other event or obstacle so far.
I still vividly remember my first day at Café Carolina… I was beyond what one would call a “nervous wreck.” I walked in with my burgundy colored polo shirt and tried to look as professional as I could, which wasn’t something that had ever been in my nature. I noticed all the other girls I worked with were very clean cut, smart, “popular” type, which my general manager had liked. I didn’t think I would fit in, which made me feel very uncomfortably nervous. During my first few training days, I was so overwhelmed because of all of the tasks I had to get done while being the only closing cashier. I had to put on a confident smile for the customers who came in, which was hard because I was always very shy and had a very hard time communicating with people, let alone complete strangers. They had expected me to know just how they wanted their sandwiches and lattes, although I was new to the menu. I figured it would be normal to make mistakes for the first couple days, but my manager's expectations were different. I was not properly trained by him and I had to try to figure everything out on my own. Any question I had was answered as “use your common sense,” even though it was only my first week of work, ever. Although I was not treated fairly by my manager, having to teach myself how to do each task led me to become more independent as an employee, and as a young adult. If I had the chance to go back and change it, I wouldn't.
Over time I became better acquainted with the menu, ingredients in different items, and I actually learned how to make a latte (rather than just guessing each time, hoping it would be close enough and the customers wouldn’t notice). Once I overcame the obstacle of learning the menu, I felt so much more confident talking with my customers while being personable, yet professional. During the first few months I was extremely reluctant when saying things like “let me know if you have any questions!” because I didn’t know how I would be able to answer them. As I moved forward, I transformed by sincerely and confidently talking with my customers. I began to strive to communicate with my customers and make them feel welcome. There were not any more days that I walked into work feeling insecure. Providing the best service I could and receiving positive energy from customers is what made me never stop trying. This became a rite of passage to me because the way I completed transformed from having a blood-red face behind a cash register into being a confident, helpful worker in this type of professional social situation is a place I never would have seen myself. The communication skills I gained from working helped me realize that I can overcome insecurities and fears that I will have to face later in life.
When I began my job, I was getting prepared for my senior year in high school. I was so grateful to have a car but all of the driving I did (or that I wanted to do) required money which I was tired of asking my parents for (I know they were, too). Once I started working more, and got my first paycheck, was when I began to realize the value of a dollar. My mom stopped paying for my gas, as well as numerous other things that I wanted but didn’t necessarily need. It made me feel good to be able to fill up my tank, buy mascara, or buy different clothing items I liked with my hard earned money. There were times I would break even with my paycheck every two weeks, but when I did save money I definitely liked seeing my checking balance in the bank grow. I would buy an occasional cup of coffee and other small things, but out of my friends I was definitely frugal when it came to money. When I was younger, I would want the “cool” expensive clothes, rather than the identical shirt that was twenty dollars less. This all came back to me when I’d go to my favorite stores. I checked the price tags on items I wanted, then I would put them right back and I’d walk right on over to the clearance rack. I also became a bit more tightly packed when it came to my belongings. I was not the average high school girl with a closet exploding with clothes. I became more accustomed with having just a few necessities, which is much more manageable in my opinion. I felt like having an average minimum-waged job definitely helped me to watch out for each dollar I spend. Whether I knew what I was saving up for or not, I gained a sense of security to know I could save my money.
As with every other high school student, I was terrible with time management skills and keeping my priorities straight. As I stated earlier, I was very nervous when I first started working, which also meant I was terrified of being late. I was hardly ever the type of teenager that showed up early for class, or even on time every day. However, when I knew I had to go to work I would arrive early to every shift because I wanted my managers to think highly of me and never anything different. This began to reflect on school as well. Also, while I was working and in school, I had less time outside of school to do homework, and less time to procrastinate. I knew that whenever I would get home from work, the last thing I wanted to do was stay up late to cram for a test or attempt to write a paper. I began to find time slots during the day to finish homework so I didn’t have to do it all when I got home at nine-thirty. It was definitely beneficial picking up these new habits prior to attending college. It helped my confidence level being able to manage time well, which will ultimately improve my progress in the future.
There have been various events in my life that I consider a rite of passage into adulthood; such as, getting my driver’s license, graduating high school and getting accepted to a university. However, I feel that getting a job and working for a steady year or so while being in school has matured me the most. I learned so much in that year that I couldn't have been taught anywhere else. It has made me feel capable of being able to overcome any obstacles I may feel insecure about. Also, it has made me aware that if I work hard enough at something it will become more manageable, or it will get better. At my first day of work, I was a nervous wreck and didn’t know how I would be able to communicate clearly with my customers. Over a year later, I was more than happy to speak comfortably with all of my coworkers, managers, and even all of my customers whom I didn’t even know. Maintaining a job was a rite of passage to me because I matured in ways that I didn’t know I could.
