First of all, I want to say that I've always been a fan, sort of. By sort of I mean that I don't drink nor do I actually know anything about coffee. However, due to Hollywood and movies like You've Got Mail, I've always wanted to be the kind of girl who frequents your doorway and gives off that busy New York Vibe. Though I doubt that ever has or ever will happen, thanks for giving me a dream.
But I also wanted to ask you a favor. I'd like a job. But wait Christine, why are you asking me for a job? Why is someone like you, *educated, funny, beautiful, and interesting*, looking for minimum wage work? (Stop it Starbucks you're making me blush!) I know right? It seems crazy to me too. I don't know why I thought that after I'd spent 4 and a half years getting a degree in Education that I'd be able to find a job no matter where I went. Or why I believed people as a kid, when they said I could be whatever I wanted to be when I grew up.
You see the problem is that I did grow up and I had a teaching job, but alas, we moved. And now there are bills to pay and dogs to feed and all those years I spent working with children aren't valued by other employers. Employers like banks, who prefer that I have lots of sales experience, or even companies looking for administrative assistants. Because everyone knows that teachers don't know anything about getting people to do things they don't want to do, being organized, and keeping up with paperwork.
But not you Starbucks. I know you'll value my ability to greet and help customers with a friendly smile even if I feel like crap. My selfless charm as I not only keep my area clean but also clean up the messes of others. My personal work ethic of making sure that orders get taken care of and everything runs smoothly. My ability to treat each individual as someone with their own problems at home, their own coffee style, their unique gifts they bring to the store every time they want caffeine.
Where did I acquire such awe inspiring powers?
In the classroom.
I have years of customer service experience, I love to help people, and whatever I don't know about coffee I'm pretty sure I can learn. What's that? You're right. No lesson planning or grading or standardized testing. Starbucks, give me a job. Because this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Sincerely,
Me
*Disclaimer*
Of course I don't mean that if you work at Starbucks you aren't educated, funny, beautiful, and interesting. You totally are. Obviously there are a lot of us in the coffee business or looking to get into it. Plus you have that cool vibe I've always wanted and you know coffee so trust me, I want to be you someday. Preferably later this week.
But I also wanted to ask you a favor. I'd like a job. But wait Christine, why are you asking me for a job? Why is someone like you, *educated, funny, beautiful, and interesting*, looking for minimum wage work? (Stop it Starbucks you're making me blush!) I know right? It seems crazy to me too. I don't know why I thought that after I'd spent 4 and a half years getting a degree in Education that I'd be able to find a job no matter where I went. Or why I believed people as a kid, when they said I could be whatever I wanted to be when I grew up.
You see the problem is that I did grow up and I had a teaching job, but alas, we moved. And now there are bills to pay and dogs to feed and all those years I spent working with children aren't valued by other employers. Employers like banks, who prefer that I have lots of sales experience, or even companies looking for administrative assistants. Because everyone knows that teachers don't know anything about getting people to do things they don't want to do, being organized, and keeping up with paperwork.
But not you Starbucks. I know you'll value my ability to greet and help customers with a friendly smile even if I feel like crap. My selfless charm as I not only keep my area clean but also clean up the messes of others. My personal work ethic of making sure that orders get taken care of and everything runs smoothly. My ability to treat each individual as someone with their own problems at home, their own coffee style, their unique gifts they bring to the store every time they want caffeine.
Where did I acquire such awe inspiring powers?
In the classroom.
I have years of customer service experience, I love to help people, and whatever I don't know about coffee I'm pretty sure I can learn. What's that? You're right. No lesson planning or grading or standardized testing. Starbucks, give me a job. Because this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Sincerely,
Me
*Disclaimer*
Of course I don't mean that if you work at Starbucks you aren't educated, funny, beautiful, and interesting. You totally are. Obviously there are a lot of us in the coffee business or looking to get into it. Plus you have that cool vibe I've always wanted and you know coffee so trust me, I want to be you someday. Preferably later this week.
Would it have been better for you as a kid if people had always told you that no matter how hard you try you are almost guaranteed to not get exactly what you want? Would you tell that to the children you have taught to inspire them to greatness?
ReplyDeleteThere was a time I was looking for work in much the same situation, and when "talking" with God about why I couldn't even get a job at a fast food place, I got an answer:
"I could give you a job at McDonalds any time, but that's not what you want is it?"
Not surprisingly he was right. If I had gained a job such as that I would have ended up hating it. I likely would have become bitter, and that would have poured over into other parts of my life.
A job did come which led to another job which I am in now. When I look back on it all, there was a plan at work in it all that not only helped me, but also those around me. A plan that I couldn't have seen when walking through a valley of uncertainty with its seemingly unscalable walls, but a plan that only someone who watched it all from above could have guided me to.
Started to wax poetic there for a second. My apologies. You get the point.
I understand and I appreciate the point you're making. The point I was making about being whatever I wanted to be when I grew up was that a lot can be taken for granted when you're a kid that if you work hard and go to college etc. then you will find the job you want. That takes longer than most people think. There are jobs we take because we need them and jobs we crave because that's what we want to do with our lives. I am fully excited and waiting to see what G-d has planned for me in all this. In the meantime I'll enjoy whatever job I can get to the best of my abilities and pay the bills.
ReplyDeleteWell I apologize if my comment came off a bit preachy. I wanted you to know that while somethings we were told as kids where largely lip service meant to do little more than inspire us "You can be anything", others are absolutely true "there is a plan".
ReplyDeleteFrom the way you were writing, you just kinda seemed like me from not too long ago. I was genuinely concerned about my job situation, and in truth I was getting upset about it. On the outside, however, I showed only a lightheartedness and casual concern.
If in fact you were more concerned than letting on, then something needed to be said. At least it seemed that way, but then I have been wrong before.... many times... actually it can be kinda depressing when I start counting up how many times...
Still I know you will make it work for you. You have always been someone who did what you needed to do.
You don't have to apologize, you were right. I do worry about it more than I let on and I need people to remind me not to give up, because I don't always do a good job reminding myself :)
ReplyDelete