HELP WANTED

by Paula Ramos design by Ram Gowda

photos for the Triangle

In the sweltering summer months, many students spent their vacations traveling, making memories with friends and enjoying the annual county fair. Stirring things up, senior Jessica Meza decided to start her first job at Dunkin’ Donuts this summer.

“I started [at Dunkin’] in the beginning of June,” Meza said.

As a coffee enthusiast, Meza chose Dunkin’ with the hopes of learning more about making coffee. However, other reasons were at play as well.

“I chose to work here because it was close to my house, so it was only a five minute drive, which was convenient because I didn’t have a car yet,” she said.

In her day-to-day shift, Meza works as a cashier and barista. “[My duties include] making coffee drinks and refreshers, handling the drive thru, saying hi and greeting people, putting new donuts out and just making sure that everything is clean,” Meza said.

Outside the realm of food service, junior Gabriella Graham spent the summer working at Speck’s Pet Supplies. Because of the small size of the store, Graham is responsible for multiple tasks throughout the day.

“When I get there, I immediately start checking out customers and see if they need help with anything,” Graham said. “I also do a lot of cleaning tasks like mopping the floor and cleaning the bathrooms.”

Though limited space entails more work, for Graham it has also meant getting closer with her peers.

“I’ve formed a lot of connections with people I knew but haven’t talked to in a long time or new people that I met,” Graham said. “I also really just like seeing the dogs that come in a lot,” 36%

Although working in retail, specifically with pets, may not be everyone’s cup of tea, qualities and work ethic can be applied across the board, especially for students on the lookout for a first job. Senior Esha Aras, who works at Five Below, emphasizes the importance of being driven.

“Make sure you know what you want and think about all the time it’s going to take you and just make sure to put in the work,” Aras said.

Aras leaves students with strong words of advice: “Having a part time job as a student gives you experience in the community and working with people—interacting with others that you might not have if you didn’t have the job.”