Working as a Service Crew: Is it a good job for recent high school grads?

I'm about to graduate high school and considering applying for service crew positions. Is this a good start for someone my age, and what should I expect in terms of work environment and skills needed?

Working as a service crew member can be a good job for a recent high school graduate, as it can help you develop a base set of skills that are useful in the workforce in general.

Service crew positions typically involve customer service, so one crucial skill you'd need is communication. You'll spend a big part of your day interacting with customers, so you'll have to be patient, courteous, and comfortable dealing directly with people, often in fast-paced situations. It can certainly improve your interpersonal skills, which is an asset in any job or field.

Working as a service crew member often requires multitasking. Whether it's handling different customer requests, managing cash transactions, or juggling various duties in the kitchen or the floor, it's a job that can better your ability to multitask and prioritize tasks, skills that are greatly valued in most jobs.

Additionally, most service crew positions require teamwork. You'll be part of a team and will need to cooperate and collaborate to ensure smooth operations. This environment can help you develop team working skills and learn to navigate workplace dynamics.

Remember, while this job can provide you with valuable skills, it might also involve irregular or long hours, and some might find it physically demanding standing most of the time.

So whether it's a good start for you will depend on your personal resilience, your willingness to learn, your ability to handle challenging situations, and ultimately your career goals. If, for example, you see yourself in a people-focused job or in the hospitality or catering industry in the future, a service crew job could give you a first-hand experience of what that's like.

Just keep in mind that this should not be your final destination, but rather a stepping stone towards your long-term career path.