Over winter break, I spent all of my money abroad. I took a January term in London with two amazing University of Virginia professors. The week before that, I went to Ireland which was the best week of my life. Was it worth spending all of my money? Of course. I got to meet people from around the world, people from Australia, France, Germany, Sweden, Brazil, and Denmark. It was unreal.
I got back to school thinking, “Man, I really need a job.” I ended up finding work at a local college bar, and it was one of my best decisions I have made in college. Here is a list of reasons why working at a college bar is the best college job:
1. The Co-Workers.
The best part of working at a college bar is definitely the co-workers. Working at a college bar, you see a lot and you do a lot. From cleaning up vomit, to kicking people out, to dealing with drunken students yelling at ungodly volumes about the most heinous of topics, these are things you deal with together. Obviously, these are not the most glamorous of tasks, but that’s the point. Every night presents you with something else, so you quickly develop stories with each other.
2. The Friends.
When your friends ask if you’re trying to go out that night but you can’t because you have work, yeah, that’s the worst. With a job at the local bar, though, you’re going to see your friends while you’re getting paid. Sound too good to be true? That’s because it kind of is. You’re not going to be able to spend your whole night with them, but they can definitely hang around with you a bit during your shift. Plus, you’ll have a ton of stories to tell them the next day.
3. The Experiences.
Let me tell you, this job is not for the faint of heart. You’re going to have kids saying that the only way to have fun is to have the whole squad on top of the table. You’re going to have kids saying that they literally have no option but to rip cigs right now. There will be kids crying because you inevitably snapped their fakes after they insisted you try. There will be fights and there will be kids toppling down stairs. You might be asking yourself, “Is this something I want take on?” Well, if you like to do nothing and sit at a desk, then this might not be the job for you. If you love some thrill and you can’t stand a dull moment, however, then hop on board.
4. The Pace.
This is a fast-paced job. From the moment you walk in to the moment you leave, there will be something for you to do. For all of you out there that have small attention spans, which is basically everyone (what a time to be alive, y’all), this will actually prove to be beneficial, since you’re always doing something different. There are some nights that won’t be as crowded, however. These nights are still a lot of fun, because you can talk with your co-workers and have your friends come visit.
5. The Environment.
College bars have a high energy environment, and it is infectious. There are so many people dancing and laughing and yelling and singing that it’s hard not to be happy yourself. If you find yourself working while your school is playing a big game, the bar comes alive. The crowd becomes one with the cohesion of the team. The anticipation fills the room when your team takes a shot, and the room explodes when your team scores. Be ready for some crowd control when your team wins, it’s going to get wild.
6. The Schedule.
For the most part, college bars make the majority of their money from college students. Therefore, the shifts revolve around when students go to the bars the most. This is ideal for college students, because it doesn’t interfere with your normal schedule. Over spring break, for instance, managers will often close their bars for a few days since the large majority of students are out of town. If you were really hoping to go down to Florida with your friends but you also need a job, you can do both. Managers also understand the fact that you are in college, so, if you have a big exam week, they will be more than willing to schedule you are your exams or let you have off.
7. The Music.
The music is always bumping. Are you ever jealous of your friends who know the lyrics to every song at every party? Well, you’re about to be that kid. You’re going to hear the same songs night after night. The songs stay fresh, though, because the DJs are always throwing out new mixes. If you let yourself get into the music, which you should, it will really drive your energy through the night. There’s something about booming bass lines and wailing, synthesized melodies that really gets me going.
8. The Discounts.
Do you have money? If your answer is yes, you’re probably not a college student. Most college bars offer their employees some type of discount on food and drinks, if you’re 21, obviously. These discounts are prime. It’s a lot of fun to go into the bar you work at during the day to get a meal. Not only do you get some discounted food, but it is also a great way to get to better know the servers, bartenders, and barbacks.
All in all, working at a college bar is the ideal job for a college student. It is a great opportunity to meet a lot of really cool people, it provides a great work environment, and it is surely never boring.
