How working behind a bar better prepares you for the world of work

The part-time job has become a necessity for many students due to the increase of fees – whether it’s just the summer before university or a few shifts during the holidays, the back breaking minimum wage jobs are always sought after.

For me, it was working in my local pub at home. I worked what felt like every shift before starting university only to be so tired from the labour, I was not alive enough for freshers’ week. To be able to put up with the people and mundane tasks of working a bar job, allows you to persevere through job interviews, bullies in the workplace and encourages a resilient attitude.

The ability to stay working somewhere which was soul crushing is invaluable. It means that you have your priorities in order. For example, serving your peers can be daunting especially if you’re a clumsy like me who smashes 10 wine glasses, but it never stopped me from doing my job. If you avoid serving peers its embarrassing for yourself, doing this means you can take control of a situation.

I have found knowledge in the hierarchy of work. Starting from the lowest point of scrubbing dishes to waiting on ignorant people may not be as relatable as it seems, but in any workplace you will start at the bottom. You will have to make tea and schmooze colleagues – this is not just in internships. There are thousands of students graduating and the potential self-entitlement which comes with a degree will get you nowhere. There is a hierarchy in the workplace that must be both respected and infiltrated.

Household chores and pocket money do not prepare you for the ‘real world’. Strenuous and constant working during a shift teaches you to see the amount of hard work that goes into £5 an hour and how long it takes to save up for something you want. You learnt to respect the value of money, important as graduate jobs are few and far between.

The understanding of practical ‘real world’ work also aids the gratification of others who work in service, making you a more considerate person in society. I know to always leave a tip in our contactless society, help a server out with a hot plate and that miscommunication is very common which messes up orders.

This work can be looked back on fondly. In the knowledge you gained a resilient attitude to the diverse range of people in service and achieved standing on your feet for 10 hours during a Sunday lunch shift.