All students should work a customer service job at some point in their lives, whether it be in retail, serving in the dining hall or working the register behind the counter of a coffee shop. These jobs provide experiences and insights that go beyond what can be learned in a classroom.

Service jobs are usually undervalued and underestimated, even though they offer important life lessons. They shape character, build soft skills and most importantly change the way we see the world and the people around us.

Service jobs teach you humility. You learn quickly that the world doesn’t only revolve around you. When you are dealing with difficult customers daily, smiling despite physical exhaustion and handling long shifts, you realize the importance of patience and professionalism, two crucial qualities for any future career.

Beyond character development, retail jobs equip students with a set of soft skills that are usually overshadowed by the stereotypes that surround the job. Time management, multitasking, communication, teamwork and working under pressure are all part of the routine in service jobs. 

Sophomore Fati Talibi began her campus job journey working in the Dining Hall during her freshman year. Her dedication and experience later led her to bigger roles as a leader in the Office of International Students, the Admissions Office and the Office of Inclusion and Diversity, where she now supports fellow international students throughout their time at Augustana.

“I used to hate the long, tiring shifts in the dining hall,” Talibi said. “However, looking back, I realize that experience shaped who I am today [because] it taught me how to work under pressure, something I rely on every day in my current roles.”

Most importantly, retail jobs give students a new perspective and the opportunity to view the world differently. Once you have worked a minimum-wage job, you are far less likely to take someone’s labor for granted. You start tipping better. You respect employees. You develop empathy for the people whose work goes unnoticed. 

Having worked in the dining hall myself, I’ve seen firsthand the fast-paced coordination and hard work that go into every meal served. From early-morning prep to late-night cleanups, the behind-the-scenes effort is nonstop and often underappreciated. It gave me a new level of respect for the staff and a deeper understanding of what it means to be part of a team. 

At a school like Augustana, where many students are preparing to embark on their professional careers, working a retail job seems like a detour or a waste of time. However, it is not. It is a foundation for every career. No matter where you are headed, no matter which path you choose to take, you will need to work with people, handle stressful situations or adapt to unexpected circumstances. Service jobs give you firsthand training in all of that. 

We often just shed light on internships or leadership positions when discussing opportunities to prepare for the future. Although those can be beneficial, we shouldn’t overlook the power of a part-time job at Target or Starbucks. These experiences are just as formative as they reflect the real-life challenges and responsibilities that every student will face in the professional world. 

Every student should work a service job at least once to learn perseverance, discipline, patience and empathy. If they are looking to grow not just as professionals, but as people, it is a good place to start.