Now I know for sure.
Today was my orientation for Barnes & Noble, which also qualified as my first day. (They actually paid me to come to this.) On Monday, I report to the store again, as an official employee.
They'll have me come in just a few days at a time at first, working just a few hours. Then, as I adjust to the routine and get more practice under my belt, they'll have me stay longer more often. The only downside is that I'll be required to work a Sunday or two. I guess as long as it doesn't happen too often, I can live with that.
What I will do there doesn't sound so different from what I do now at my current job. The rules are about the same (concerning common courtesy and nondiscrimination and what to do about tough customers and sexual harassment), but restrictions on the merchandise are a lot tighter. We could get in a heap of trouble for spilling the beans about a certain book before its release date, or for messing with the merchandise.
The cash registers are different, too, obviously, but they assured us that there will be someone to monitor us for the first few days until we get the hang of it. We're also encouraged to let the customers know that we're new on the job and that they should "have mercy on our souls."
My family is very proud of me and we celebrated my success with a scrumptious Sizzler dinner. I got to have lobster for the second time; there was a little more meat inside the shell this time. The melted butter was pretty rich and I think they gave me a little too much.
I also had a medium-rare steak, fat fries, several hot rolls (they give you all the rolls you can eat), and raspberry lemonade; I loved the little raspberry chunks floating around the bottom of my glass.
Afterward, I took advantage of their free dessert offer and had a bit of ice cream. But I made it easy on myself with a small cone.
Whoo boy...a long-time dream is finally coming true. I always said that I wanted to work at a place like Barnes & Noble or Deseret Book.
Now that it's become a reality, I'm surprised, apprehensive, and even a little sad.
I knew my job at the thrift store wouldn't be permanent, just like how I knew college wouldn't be permanent, and no doubt this job won't be permanent, either.
But you just get used to the routine, you know? You want a change of scenery sooner or later, and at the same time you want things to stay the way they are. Then again, they say you get stagnant if you're always stuck in the same place.
Maybe, in a way, being nervous is a good thing, too. It means you know it's a big deal, and you treat it like a big deal.
They took care to remind us that this is only a seasonal job, but they also introduced us to a few high-ranking workers who started out as Christmas workers. They'll be most likely to consider the workers who "bust their butts" at the store. They know hard work and dedication when they see it and will reward it accordingly.
It'll take some getting used to, but I have a feeling I'm going to fit in just fine.
Wish me luck, mates.
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