October 2, 2008

• A PubliX post

  

  
  

  Things are going very well so far at Publix.  It is very exhausting being on my feet full time, and I take Tylenol regularly to help while working.  However, I found out on my third day working there that I was apparently ‘hired’ as full time from the day I started!  Full time positions are not given to normal cashiers or basic employees- the lowest level full time position in customer service is customer service team leader, a relatively recent position created as a bridge between normal part time work and management work (the next step is an assistant management position, which I believe requires you having worked there full time for something like twelve months).  I am not technically acting as a team leader yet- I just got here, so it would not make sense for me to lead people in something I am still learning myself- however, apparently the manager wants the ‘timer’ started so that he has the ability to make me manager sooner.

  
  

  Also, those who read my previous posts know how much we need insurance!  I made it clear that full time, and thus insurance, was a big indicator of where I would be comfortable staying long-term.  The manager took me up on it, and has thus earned my commitment.  Apparently the managers liked what they saw when I started working on the floor!

  
  

   

  
  

   Cooking Opportunity

  
  

  One area of customer service is the food demonstration unit near the entrance area to the store.  Ideally, every day someone is there at peak times to prepare a weekly recipe set (usually two sides and a main course) with a recipe card (very nice and convenient with a divded shopping list on one side set up into meats, dairy, etc for the full three recipes) for customers to watch the prep and then make themselves.  The district head of that area cooks at our store and when he heard my interest, really wanted me to join in.  He needs someone to cover for him there twice a week, and with my existing experience in cooking, obvious skill and enjoyment in working with people at the counters already, and passion for the idea of the job- he felt I would do well, and would train me up personally.

  
  

  I have realised as I have thought about it more and more how right that would be for me.  The idea was so exciting- I found myself even more excited about the idea of doing that than the idea of cooking a ‘fun gourmet meal’ for my family.  Perhaps partly because I would not have to worry about paying for it, and I would get to practice it over and over again- thus honing my cooking skills and really perfecting areas I feel weak on.  When you find yourself thinking “I can’t believe they’d actually pay me for this- I feel like I should be paying THEM!” you know that you have found a winner in a job.  It’d also give me professional cooking experience for my resume, if I ever wanted to do more advanced food prep in the future.

  
  

  
  

  Choose- but choose wisely

  
  

  Of course, eventually I see a choice coming up.  The fellow who will be training me made that choice himself- he was preparing on a track for management when he started doing that job as part of it.  He had previous management experience, as well as cooking experience, and he ended up loving that job so much when they offered him an assistant management position- he passed it up to stay there.  Within two years of starting at Publix, he was offered a position as district director of the demonstration program.  It is not as lucrative as management- but it is probably not as stressful either, and it is a totally different job.

  
  

  So the choice will likely come to me, if I start doing this as I hope- do I take the opportunity to pursue management, or do I stay on with food prep?  When assistant department managers get an average of 40k a year, and the wages just keep going up from there (store managers get an average of 104k a year, to give you a ‘ceiling’ idea)… it really is an issue of choosing potential earnings vs personal fulfillment.  Not to mention getting great resume additions for future jobs if needed.

  
  

   

  
  

  I appreciate all of your prayers- without which I surely would not have had such success so far.  While my income is still low right now, having a full time position and insurance coming in three months is vital to lowering overhead costs- and my parents can focus their help on keeping us afloat until the income raises, rather than investing it all into just keeping us up with insurance.

  
  

   

  
  

  -Patrick

  • 9:07 am
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