My first experience as a bartender was challenging. I was left alone at the bar on a busy summer night without any training. I initially felt overwhelmed and even cried in the back for a few minutes. However, I gathered the courage to start pouring drinks, as I didn’t have many options. I remember being so stressed that I had to ask a customer how to make a gin and tonic. This experience taught me that I could rely on myself and learn on the fly. It also showed me that I could handle pressure and advocate for myself by asking for patience.
This experience in the food service industry prepared me for challenges in other fields. As I transitioned into the tech industry, I often reflected on that first night of bartending. I realized that if I could handle that, I could certainly handle learning new skills like SEO and participating in Zoom meetings.
Working in food service can be demanding, but it teaches valuable skills such as hard work, collaboration, stress management, and dealing with various types of people.
Despite these valuable skills, food service workers may feel unqualified for white-collar jobs, and hiring managers may not always recognize the potential these workers bring. However, food service employees are often some of the most loyal and hardworking individuals.
I’M JUST HAPPY TO BE HERE
My former food service colleagues and I often share stories from our time in the industry, reminiscent of war stories. We remember incidents like a customer vomiting on the bar, dealing with an angry customer over cold nachos, and a friend being branded by a head chef with a spoon. All of this for just a little above minimum wage?
When I started my first tech job, my salary nearly tripled. Suddenly, I had the opportunity to save money for my future. I felt appreciated and valued in my new job, in contrast to the restaurant industry where I once had my tips withheld for attending a funeral.
Restaurant workers often experience burnout due to various reasons, and low pay is just one of them. Most food service employees do not have benefits like medical insurance or retirement accounts. Additionally, the hours can be grueling and time off is scarce. Not to mention the prevalent rates of sexual harassment.
When I read through the paperwork for my first tech job, I was surprised. The job offered paid parental leave and an education stipend. For the first time in years, I made a dentist appointment and received anti-sexual harassment training. I kept telling my bosses, “I’m just happy to be here.”
FOOD SERVICE BUILDS VALUABLE SKILLS
Lawrence Lockhart Jr., from Olive Branch, Mississippi, spent 17 years in food service before deciding to pursue coding through online courses and in-person meet-ups.
“If you work in food service for an extended period, especially in a leadership position, you develop resilience and exceptional stress management skills,” says Lockhart, who is now a developer advocate at a web development company. “When I talk about my learning journey and the challenges I faced, the ability to start again and not give up completely came from my food service background.”
In addition to managing stressful situations, food service workers also develop the ability to effectively deal with people, which is a highly valued skill by hiring managers.
“One of the biggest skills gained from working in food service is the ability to anticipate the needs of others,” says Carlea Jean Magee, a freelance user experience (UX) researcher in Omaha, Nebraska. Magee spent nearly eight years in food service before transitioning to UX research.
“If a group of women comes in giggling and smiling, you offer them something different compared to a man who comes in alone with a newspaper. I work in consumer-facing roles, so I have to anticipate the needs and wants of users and clients, as well as stakeholders and managers.”
HOW TO MAKE THE TRANSITION
If you’re a food service worker looking to transition to another field, Lawrence Lockhart and Carlea Jean Magee suggest a few steps to make your resume more attractive. First, determine what you want to explore and gain some experience in that field. Take advantage of free online courses to discover your interests.
“I discovered UX research while taking a UX design course, specifically the Google career certificate,” says Magee. “I highly recommend exploring these resources.”
Next, network both online and offline. Attend local meet-ups and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. Additionally, update your LinkedIn profile to ensure that recruiters can easily find you.
Finally, don’t be afraid to try something new. Lockhart often mentors others who are hesitant to pursue coding due to perceived difficulty.
“Don’t immediately dismiss coding because, trust me, if you can handle running five tables by yourself in a fast-food restaurant, memorizing orders, and successfully serving customers on a busy Friday night, you have the mental capacity to learn coding,” says Lockhart. “You just need to give yourself a chance.”
