Gateway to University Honors

Working as a food runner at a very popular local restaurant in my hometown has taken me out of my comfort zone and helped me become comfortable with being uncomfortable.  I took the job with the intention of only working during the summer as I was going into my senior year of high school, but I loved it so much that I continued to work there throughout the school year and up until I left for college.  I quickly fell into the well-established rhythm of the restaurant and proved myself by taking on tasks outside of my job description.  For example, servers are supposed to bus their own tables, but when the restaurant is really busy and there’s a moment when I’m not caught up doing something, I’d take a lap around the floor and help clean tables so the hostess could seat the next guest.  Furthermore, I noticed that the people who never stop working are the chefs.  As such, I started to ask if I could help or get them anything.  They were very appreciative, and other employees recognized it too and have followed suit in asking the chefs if there’s anything they can do for them.  As the youngest member of a multigenerational staff, I’ve had the opportunity to learn through the experiences of people from all walks of life.  I’ve found an incredible sense of support and community among the staff and gained an appreciation for the commitment required to run a successful business, as well as a newfound understanding of the day-to-day challenges that business owners face.  I look forward to and get excited about work because I’ve realized that I truly enjoy meeting new people outside of my circle normal activities.  Working in the service industry has taught me many valuable lessons in work ethic, respect, communication, and collaboration that will serve me well in my future career.  Moreover, I’ve gained confidence through my job and learned how to better handle high-stress situations, improving my time management and multitasking skills.  I'm no longer intimidated by new challenges; rather I tackle them systematically and view them as opportunities to cultivate growth and develop new relationships.