Zaria Ross is an Associate / Crew Member at Panera Bread, where she’s worked since the beginning of summer vacation. She usually works 12-13 hours a week and gets paid $12 an hour.
While a regular paycheck is nice, Ross said that the best part about her job is being able to connect with her coworkers. The worst part, however, is definitely trying to get things done at the best of her abilities with a time limit.
In her position, she works as both a cashier and in the dining area. As a cashier, her duties are to take the guests orders, bag up any pastries if they’re ordered, slice bread if a customer buys a loaf, make coffee every hour, keep the pastry case clean and organized, wipe down back counters, clean both bread cases, empty coffee urns and fill them with water, wipe down the barista, clean the coffee machine, sweep, and mop. Also, when she is at the cash register and there is no barista present, she makes the specialty drinks.
When she is working in the dining area, she stocks the coffee bar with sugar, lids, sleeves, and stirrers. “We have to stock the beverage bar with lids, straws, and water cups, wipe down tables, take dishes back to the dishwasher, drain, wash and refill our drink containers, take pagers to the cashier, replace butter and lemons, change the trash bags, go on trash runs, wipe down mirrors and counters in the restrooms, vacuum the carpeted area, and sweep and mop the walkways,” she said. Along with having to worry about all of that, the employees at Panera always have to show up in uniform, a black shirt, blue or black jeans, and non-slip shoes.
Ross had a previous summer job at the Student Conservation Association where her group would go around to the local parks in Vallejo to clean up, plant trees, and take care of any overgrown plants. “Every other week we would go camping at the National Parks and clear any trails, plus any other work the park wanted done,” she said. “Our trips would last five days.”
Now that she’s older, she has chosen to work so that she doesn’t have to keep asking her parents for money. Having a job also takes up a lot free time, meaning she’s keeping herself busy. Her overall career goal is to become a forensic psychologist. That is something that Ross is truly passionate about and is very interested in.
When she isn’t at Panera Bread, Ross is spending time with her family, her friends, or just relaxing, but working has given her a chance to reflect on what makes a good worker. “Just be genuine, consistent and persistent,” she said. “Actually care about the work you are doing and make sure that you are doing or at least trying to do well. Also be open to conversation with your co-workers but don’t get too into ‘work drama’.”