As a child, we all have dreams of what we want to be when we grow up. For some, it’s a firefighter, a doctor, or a teacher. But for others, like myself, it was something a little less conventional – a hotel manager. This dream may have seemed odd to adults, but to me, it made perfect sense. I loved the idea of hotels, with their magical vending machines, self-making beds, and indoor pools just an elevator ride away. In my young mind, hotel managers were at the top of the food chain, the ultimate authority in the working world.
However, as I grew older, my dreams of becoming a hotel manager faded. When it came time to get my first job at 15, I had to consider what was important to me. I wanted to work at a place I could be proud of, but also make decent money. After stumbling upon a job at Auntie Anne’s offering $13/hour plus tips, I jumped at the opportunity. It was a unique first job, and the pay was almost double the federal minimum wage. I felt like a trailblazer in my profession, being the first 15-year-old hired at the kiosk.
Working at Auntie Anne’s was both glorious and inglorious. While some may have seen it as just another job in food service, I saw it as an adventure. I found joy in twisting dough into pretzels and interacting with customers, even when things got tough. I romanticized the experience, much like I had with my childhood dream of being a hotel manager. But eventually, changes within the company led to me and my coworkers leaving, like captains going down with our ship.
Despite the bittersweet ending at Auntie Anne’s, I found a new love in another unlikely job – Coldstone Creamery. Working there for the past three years, I have moved up to a shift lead position, earning $16/hour plus tips. It’s been a challenging journey, but one that I have embraced wholeheartedly. My time at Coldstone has been fulfilling, and I have grown to appreciate the hard work that goes into making delicious ice cream treats.
In the end, my childhood dream of being a hotel manager may have been short-lived, but it paved the way for me to discover new passions and opportunities. Each job I have had, whether it be at Auntie Anne’s or Coldstone, has taught me valuable lessons and shaped me into the person I am today. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll find myself back in the world of hotels, but this time with a newfound appreciation for the industry. Dreams may change, but the journey to finding what truly makes us happy is what matters most.
