Going home for Thanksgiving break can mean a multitude of things, mainly being a sense of relief. Most kids are more than ready to sit back, relax, and eat. But what happens when you come home to find out that somebody has lined up a job for you? Well, you’re about to find out.

1.Finding out

You get a text from the person who so nicely lined up this job for you and tells you that you have to be at work by 8 the next morning. Until now, you didn’t even know you had a job. A little bit of freaking out is involved. There goes sleeping in…

2. Going in

You’re supposed to start at 8, the time the store opens, so naturally, you arrive a few minutes before only to see a line out the door has already formed. Wondering what in the world made these people come in and stand in line before the registers are even running, you squeeze past them and go behind the counter. Time to start the day.

3. Meeting the co-workers

Going in, you know nobody except the manager who decided to give you the job. The other employees are probably wondering who in the world you are and why you are there. It’s a bit intimidating, even though you find out later they are all nice people.

4. Dealing with customers

It’s not even 8:30 before you see your first angry customer. Look, I get it, not all of us are morning people, but don’t take it out on the girl behind the counter! Before the hour is up there have already been two more customers similar to that. You begin to see your co-workers get an attitude (but never in front of customers or the public). You’re just thankful that you don’t have enough experience to be put on front line by yourself.

5. Training

This is an all-day event. Since the day you’re working is such a busy day there is no time for formal training, and the manager tells you to follow around one employee and then she tells you to follow around a different one. Throughout the day you’ve ended up following at least four different people around and by then you think you almost know what you’re doing… or at least the start of it.

6. Mishaps

They’re bound to happen. Did you drop something that was supposed to be part of a meal and then had to throw it away? Burn your hands through your gloves taking hot food out of the oven? Maybe accidentally let the industrial freezer door shut behind you while wearing short sleeves and no protective gloves to help you climb to reach the top shelf? It’s just part of the job.

7. Questions galore

On your first day, it’s going to seem like it’s filled with questions. Questions you have for your co-workers and boss, questions they have for you, and questions from the customers that have no clue it’s your first day. This is normal, and it’s okay if you don’t have perfect answers to all of them.

8. Doing things on your own

It’s that time of the day; it’s way too busy in the store and your co-workers basically leave, thinking you can handle yourself. Panic sets in. What were they thinking! There’s no more guidance, what are you supposed to do? But it doesn’t take you long to realize that you’re doing okay and you can handle a decent amount of things without any backup.

9. Clocking out

Finally, it’s that time of day. You talk to your boss and he says you’re free to go. One of your co-workers asks where you’re going, and you tell them you’re leaving. Taking off your uniform and changing back into normal clothes you think about how quickly the day actually went by, which was a surprise.

10. Going home

Getting in the car feels fantastic because it’s the first time all day you’ve gotten to sit down. But going home and telling your friend how your first day went feels even better, and you feel lucky knowing you have a job and you stay busy doing it.