Besides bagel slicing and coffee brewing, working at Panera has equipped me with skills that stretch beyond the food business.

1. How to (really) clean

Swiffering across the floor and dusting with a lysol wipe doesn't cut it in a restaurant. Working closing shifts teaches you to sweep and mop like a pro. Especially when the restaurant is being audited that week, but cleanliness is always a priority in the food biz.

2. How to "fake it till you make it"

Working as a cashier has naturally developed my customer service voice. This is the natural phenomenon when your voice goes up 3 octaves in pitch when greeting a customer. Having a smile and cheery voice no matter your mood is key, especially when you're the first person the customers see.

3. The customer is always right

They may not have told you they hate lettuce with a burning passion, but you will be blamed when there are greens on their BLT.

4. Teamwork makes the dream work

In a restaurant there are people working several different positions. At Panera there are cashiers, baristas, line cooks, and dishwashers. Many other restaurants have bussers, waitresses and hostesses. Things can only run smoothly when everyone is performing their role.

5. How to handle cash responsibly

Cashiers are 100% responsible for their drawers. If the amount is off at the end of the night, then a write-up is likely. It's important to handle cash and credit transactions carefully.

6. Knowing about the food you eat is neat

I'm thankful to work for a company that strives for clean food, without artificial ingredients or preservatives. This experience has taught me a lot about where our food comes from, and why it's important to know exactly what's in your food. Knowing the nutritional information of the menu has also helped me make more informed decisions when I order food.