Five years ago, when I was 15 I applied to a Chick-Fil-A in the mall. I decided for myself that I wanted to earn money on my own. I quickly (and thoroughly-of course) filled out the application and turned it in. A month went by and I still hadn’t heard from the store. I already told myself that I wasn’t going to get the job. I called them to check in anyway and they said they had been swamped with other applications and just now getting to it. Then, they told me to come that week for a group interview.

The group interview was nerve racking, but I answered all the questions to the best of my ability. They would let me know if I would be called back for a second interview. A week later, I was called in for a second interview by two of the managers. The questions were a lot harder and personal than the group interview, but I felt more relaxed in this one. I left the interview and felt uneasy about it, but five minutes into the drive home I got a call saying I got the job. I had brought my younger cousin with me that day, and we say she was my good luck charm.

The first day on the job was really challenging for me. I learned how to use the register, interact with the guests, secondary tasks, and just odds and ends throughout the store. One of the biggest mistake I said to a guest was responding with “You’re welcome” instead of “My Pleasure.”, but from that day forward I have never let those two words slip up again. I’m not going to lie, but I think I remember crying on the way home and not wanting to come back because it was so hard and overwhelming. Of course, I went back and the next day was a little better. As the days got better, and those turned into weeks I was getting the hang of everything.

I was at that one Chick-Fil-A store for 4 ½ years. Through those years I had developed a special bond with my team, learned how to be more organized, responsible, time management skills, communication, and much more growth. I was put in leadership roles and became to understand more of the ins and outs of the store. After praying hard, talking to mentors and family members, consulting co-workers, I decided it was time for me to move to a different store. For many reasons, that store just wasn’t the right fit for me. It was hard to say goodbye to that store, but I know it was for the best.

Starting at the new store I was at felt like I was starting from day one because it’s new faces, operations, growth, and business. This location was also in a mall, so the atmosphere Luckily, going into it, I knew a couple people from the store. My best friend was there, and helped me to ease into my new CFA family. I loved how I was being pushed, not only in my skills on the job, but also spiritually, socially, and mentally. I was open for feedback and discipline to get to the place I needed to be.

The operator I was working under, owned three stores. One location, a double- drive thru needed extra help one night. Since I had never worked in a drive-thru I was a bit nervous on how it was gonna go. The store knew I had been with the company for quite a while, but they also knew that I had only worked in malls. The shift was hard, one because I was in a tight filled area with no one I knew, and two I didn’t know how to do much concerning the drive-thru part. Quickly, I learned that it was fast-paced. After that shift I knew I wanted to come back again.

Since I had graduated a semester early from high school, I was able to work all the time. I would work doubles, one at the mall and one at the drive-thru every day. I was enjoying being able to use my skills in different settings.

A year later, I went away for my first year of college and whenever I was in town I would work. I missed working so much in college (and was a poor college student) that I applied to a CFA near campus. I got the job and started my journey with a new store. This store was the first free-standing I had ever worked at. It was different, but I was ready to learn, and even though I had been working with CFA for 4 years by then there was still so much I could learn.

Now, as I have been working with Chick-Fil-A for five years I looked into working with the company as a career. I am currently majoring in Public Relations and Marketing, and would love to one-day work in the marketing department for CFA corporate. Looking back from where I started to now, I never would have guessed that I would want this for myself.

I am currently on the marketing team with all three stores, and work events, and odd jobs here and there. I love being able to go off-site and interact with others outside of on-site in the store. I am a people person, so I love to get to know others and to serve them. I have been able to train newbies and make sure they are set up for success. I know how it feels to be new, but it’s worth it.

Chick-Fil-A is truly, in my opinion, the best company to work for. I have gained more people skills, confidence, teamwork, responsibilities, friendships, and much more growth in working here. They are a Christian company that wants to help your growth and in my case follow my dreams. I am so grateful for my experience with each stores, and can’t wait for what’s in store for me. I love serving guests and developing friendships with my CFA family. Thanks to everyone who is supporting me through my journey and goals, I wouldn’t’ be able to do it without you all. Special thanks for everyone investing in me and making this all possible. I would 100% recommend this for a first job.

My embarrassing moments:

“Would you like any nuggets with your sauces?”

~Saying ”mam” instead of sir when it’s a man

~Repeating an order out of breath because it is so long

~Exploding ice cream all over myself

~Pouring lemonade on myself instead of the container

~Kicking the cabinet doors

~Burning hot water down my side