Every college student deals with the pain of juggling a job, school and a social life.
In my case, I somehow juggle a full time job on top of a full schedule at school plus an internship.
I also try to squeeze in a social life here and there, when needed.
When people ask what I do they seem to find it fascinating.
However, I always reply back, “Don’t ever become a general manager at the age of 21.”
Yes, I am a general manager of a restaurant. This has been my title for a little over a year now.
I didn’t want it in the beginning; however, I was asked to take it on due to a corrupt situation that was developing at my job.
I always knew I could handle it. I knew the ins and outs of this restaurant like the back of my hand.
I am also so strong-minded that things would get done and the restaurant would become organized again.
But I wasn’t sure if i really wanted that position. It would make things different, I didn’t know if I wanted different.
One thing I have learned over the year is that no matter who you work with, friends or enemies, it is always better to be respected rather then liked.
Now as a GM with no proper training I found this difficult to accept.
It seemed as though there was always a weekly battle to get things to work. Whether it was the schedule, inventory or dealing with drama.
There was always something.
It turned out that my weakness was that I was just too nice.
Because I was too nice things just weren’t getting done properly and people started to develop that “I don’t have to do this” attitude.
This may be on my shoulders but I found myself not wanting to upset my employees because I couldn’t give them what they want.
Several of my co-workers are my friends, but I had to learn to walk that fine line that separates my social life from my work.
This is harder than it sounds, but I finally think I learned to manage it.
After numerous rounds of trial and error I have found that putting your foot down to get your point across, and cutting out all emotion, gets the job done.
Sometimes a firm reality check is what people need in order to actually accomplish what you need them to get done.
My friends and I are still friends but when we are in the work setting they know to treat me with the respect of an authority figure.
With that said I just wish that those seeking employment these days would realize that you have to give a little to get some back.
Society today dwells way too much on selfishness.
No one seems to realize that it can’t always be about you!
Regardless of how much money you need or want, to get anywhere in life you must be hungry.
Hungry for success that is.
Success may not reign in your preferred career choice now, but all success will lead you closer to that goal.
With a few lessons learned the past year has been a growing experience.
It is a great feeling to know that I could run such an organization and achieve success at the same time.
Allison Farole, a senior communications major, is Web editor of the Campus Times. She can be reached by e-mail at afarole@ulv.edu.
