“So let me repeat your order.. one big brekkie with an additional slice of sourdough, one French toast, one latte, and one long black, am I right?”
I frequently found myself repeating orders when I was 19 years old and in my final semester at Temasek Polytechnic. I had started working at a café because my friends were working there and it seemed fun. Taking orders, making drinks, serving food, clearing tables, washing dishes, organizing utensils, setting up tables and chairs, and keeping them.
All through the bustling of work, there were cheerful jokes and playful pokes amongst us. It was like a tag team game or a real life cooking mama. We were running the café like an oiled machine. One at the cashier counter, another at the coffee machine and the chef in the kitchen. And at the end of the day, we were often so tired that we couldn’t wait to go home and knock out.
But no, I had projects with looming deadlines, a never-ending pile of assignments to do and exams to study for. It was mentally and physically draining.
This pretty much sums up my part-time work experience while juggling school, work, and other commitments. I learnt that I had to be more responsible with how I use my most valuable resource—time. Time is a great equaliser. Everyone has 24 hours a day, no more, no less, but it is what you choose to do with it that could change the outcome.
With less time on my hands than I did in previous semesters, I discovered the things that truly mattered to me as I invested more time in them than in things that did not matter as much. This realisation helped me manage my priorities and balance my commitments.
Working in a café also taught me how to be more patient with difficult customers and how to work in a team. As teammates, we look out for one another. I am thankful that most of my colleagues at work were very friendly and cared for each other.
We did so by reminding each other which order had not been delivered and helped one another whenever we were available, especially when it came to washing the dishes. We covered one another when one was sick and couldn’t make it for their shift.
People always see group projects as a bane, especially with that one person who doesn't get things done. To be completely honest, in the working world, there'll always be that one person like that.
However, you’ll be able to grow as a teammate or as the group leader when you do not blame or shame them right away but instead attempt to understand them, communicate with them and when necessary, pick up their slack.
I had a group mate who could never make it for meetings, she either did not show up or was always texting us at the last minute that she couldn't make it. One day, I saw her working at O'Coffee Club at OG Orchard Point which has since been closed. As such, I gave her the benefit of doubt that she was working for the money to support her family.
To be frank, I’m quite fortunate that I was working out of choice and not out of necessity. It was an option I chose because I could, because it was fun. Nonetheless, I am grateful for the handful of valuable lessons that I learnt out of it.
For those who are deciding to take on a part time job or two during your Poly days, being able to lessen financial burdens at home might be a good enough reason to help you decide. On top of that, I hope you don’t overlook the many other valuable lessons that this great experience could bring.
