I am not looking for a career yet, and that is OK

There is a stereotype that not getting a ‘big boy job’ right after college means you are procrastinating and lazy, and for that reason, I get nervous whenever anyone asks me “what do you do?”

Since I was 16 I have been working in restaurants doing every position imaginable. I have worked my way up through the system, starting my dues as a host at an Applebee’s, to a server at Buffalo Wild Wings, and now as a bartender at a higher-end downtown restaurant. For the last six years I have done it all when it comes to handling all types of people and situations (along with breaking my fair share of glassware along the way).

With this journey, I have gained endless amounts of knowledge in multiple aspects of life. I have had the opportunity to meet and get to know some of the most interesting stories about life; things I may never have discovered with my own experiences. I get the chance to learn about others’ experiences daily. Some talks I have had with people have motivated me in ways I never thought possible.

Working in hospitality has most certainly shaped me into the person I am today, too. Although my friends all say I am a flirt (thank you bartending), I have really just become the outgoing person that I never thought I could be. Before I started hostessing in high school, I was extremely shy and introverted, and now I would not even be able to recognize that version of me. I have learned to network better than any class could have ever taught me in college.

Not only is this job extremely rewarding for both those points, but can we talk about the money? No other job throughout college is as lucrative as serving/bartending. On some nights I would be walking with over $200 cash for an easy, 6-8 hour shift. I give major credit for those who work minimum wage positions through college, but since I have literally always made tips, I cannot ever imagine going to get a minimum wage job.

So, there are those perks for doing this while in school… but what about after? I have had multiple instances in which my simple answer of, “I am bartending” to the age-old question “what are you doing now that you’ve graduated?” has come up with some short responses. “Oh, nice,” or “so when are you going to start looking for jobs?” are the most common.

Here’s the thing, now that I am out of college, I still struggle to discover what in the world my dream is. Why should I feel the need to jump into some job that I am not passionate about? I am not set on bartending forever, and if an opportunity came along, there is no doubt in my mind that I would take it. However, I want to be able to take this time to discover what exactly it is that I want, and where it is that I want to be.

The flexibility is key for me, I have been able to go on multiple trips already this Summer, and it’s only June! Not to mention when I do come back to work, I can easily make $1,000 in a week working only 30 hours. There is nothing wrong or lazy about me wanting to take this free time to travel and save up a little bit, while still being able to do something that I love. I don’t want to get a job right away and in 10 years realize I never had the chance to do the things I wanted to do while it was still easy.

We need to stop shaming anyone who doesn’t get a job right away, and realize that this is the time we can’t let go to waste hating our typical 9-5.