I have been an employee at an amusement park resort for two summers now, and I work in a family restaurant that specializes in breakfast but has a couple of dinner options as well. This means I'm either getting someone's hopefully perfect day started or helping create the perfect finale to their day in the sun.
Serving is definitely one of my favorite jobs I have had, but it has also been the most educational. What many see as the perfect summer job for the college kids, I see as a great learning experience that builds a lot of character, because when you're a server, your personality makes your paycheck at the end of each shift.
I used to be super reserved and closed off in high school. I was the expert at keeping to myself, but I always thought I had a good sense of humor, and I was good at taking care of others and knowing how to make people happy. I wanted to try something new: I was used to retail, hosting, and lifeguarding. I then found the job with Cedar Point.
My first few weeks were full of plenty of "yikes" moments, but what job isn't? It was finally time for me to really break out of my shell and put myself out there, and no part of it was easy.
At the restaurant I serve at, you are responsible for anywhere between three to eight tables, and sometimes large parties. (The largest I ever took alone was 25.)
This is where multitasking becomes a fantastic skill to have. Along with customer service skills, of course, because people will complain. It is their vacation, anyway.
The key thing I've learned this season is to not take things personally, ever, because people will do what they do no matter what. I have been stiffed many times, I have been talked down to, and I have had several bad days. However, there are good ones too. I have connected with many guests, I have gotten great tips, and I have learned so much, made some great friends, and it's a great resume booster.
To anyone who is a little nervous to try out such a complex job, I will admit that it is not easy, especially when the customer is always right. I do recommend it to everyone, though. I think that a serving job would help make everyone much more empathetic and thoughtful toward others while teaching multi-tasking skills, respect (this one is rare in some), thoroughness, and how to smile—a lot. (That one was extra hard for me.)