Joy, 17
What's your job? Where do you work?
I work as a waitress at a fast food restaurant in Mildura.
Is it part-time or casual? How many hours a week do you work?
It's casual so I don't get many hours. It ranges from 7-15 hours.
What does the job involve?
This job involves great communication skills and staying under control, not stressing out when orders end up wrong or if customers aren't satisfied. It also involves learning from mistakes just like every other job.
When you started looking for work, was this the sort of work you wanted?
I wasn't really looking for a particular job but I've had some experience with hospitality and this a convenient place to apply skills I have already learned.
What did you have to do to apply for the job?
I had to fill in an application form and go for an interview.
Did anyone help you with either looking for or applying for this job?
Yes, people who have gone for an interview before gave me some advice.
Was it hard to find this kind of job?
No, actually, hospitality is a fast-paced industry and many hire in a regular basis, especially here when young people are moving out to the city.
What are you hoping to get out of this job?
I was just hoping to learn a lot, either the dos and don'ts of waitressing, or just general people skills.
Does this kind of job have any relevance to your desired career path?
Because this job involves a lot of communication, it doesn't matter what my career path is because communication is involved in most types of jobs.
Do you find it difficult to balance this job with the rest of your week?
When I got around 15 hours of work, I found it hard to balance with school. If you're really focused with school or aiming for a high ENTER, it would be a good idea to ask for fewer hours so that your work doesn't get in the way.
What advice do you have for people looking for part-time or casual work?
Don't be too picky. If it's your first job, don't expect it to be perfect. You can always work your way up. Eventually, you will find something you like. Keep learning and just have fun.
Find out more about this career path at myfuture.edu.au (Note: free registration is required to access the myfuture site).