It is no doubt that pizza delivery drivers get a stereotypical reputation in the workforce. A lot of the times they are considered to be uneducated, lazy and your typical high school student. But that is not always the case. I deliver pizzas for Domino’s but I am also a college junior pursuing a bachelor’s in journalism.
I am in that weird middle stage in life where just about every job in your field requires a degree, but I have not achieved it yet. I did what any person in my position and applied for any job I knew I was qualified for. Delivering pizzas was not my first option, but it has turned out to be beneficial in the long run.
Delivering pizzas gives you a sense of being humble. You deliver to so many different types of people in different types of situations. Getting to chat with someone briefly about their day is one of the best things I love about my job. Just getting to meet people from all walks of life.
One of the best parts, and most often stereotyped parts, is money. While the minimum wage in Alabama is $7.25, I still make more than I initially expected I would when I took this job. I make minimum wage when I am not clocked out on a delivery and around $5.50 when I am on a run.
That does not sound like a lot of money, but when you work 8-12 hour shifts just about every weekend, the money adds up.
This also has to do with the fact that delivery drivers are tipped, and you also cannot forget mileage. On my bad days, I leave with around $20-$30 in cash and on good days, I can leave with around $80-$90 in cash. Again, it is not much, but if you keep the money in the bank and deposit tips every time you work, it builds up.
I have also met some great people while working at Domino’s. My coworkers are some of the best people I have ever worked with at a job. We laugh and crack jokes when we are not busy and we always have each other’s backs. My Domino’s family is just that to me: family.
If you have ever worked with food, you know how busy and hectic rushes can be. One minute you only have two or three orders and the next you have 20.
Drivers sometimes have to make three deliveries in one trip just to make sure customers get their orders in a timely manner. Delivering can be a crazy position to have. Sometimes it is more than just kicking back and listening to music while finding the correct address.
While delivering pizzas is not a lifetime career goal of mine, I honestly would not trade this experience for anything. I have learned a lot about working in the food industry and being a better employee.
