Internship Reflection
To complete my senior internship project I chose to use my job at Dan's Fresh Produce to fulfill the requirement. By this June I will have worked at the establishment for a year as a cashier. I was first introduced to the position through a childhood friend of mine who is also my coworker. She put in a good word for me, and set up an interview with my future manager. Everything went really well during the interview so we set up a trial run for me for the next Sunday. That Sunday was definitely a new experience for me like a fish being thrown into a new pond. I was introduced to all the responsibilities of my job and boy were there a lot to remember. First and foremost I had to learn how to operate the cash register and the codes for all of our products, then I learned merchandising and how to make the store look more appealing to customers, lastly and most importantly I learned how to deal with people. These are the three foundation skills for in merchandise.
The first thing I learned was how to use the cash register. It was really hard because our system runs on codes which need to be memorized. The two types of codes are Bar codes, which can be found on the side of packaged products and PLUs which are assigned to a produce item. While, I don’t need to memorize the bar codes, I do need to memorize all of the PLUs in order to ring up a customer. So those first few weeks definitely rough because I would be checking out customers and I would need a code. I would have to ask a coworker or quickly look it up because I didn't know it off the top of my head. This can take time and meanwhile I have an anxious customer that wants to be rung up quickly. After a while though, I started to get the hang of it and I can now ring up customers with ease. This helps so much especially since my mind is at ease and not frantic and nervous so I can also deal with the demands of the customer at the same time. While I may not have memorized all the codes yet, I know enough to do my job efficiently.
Another thing I learned while working at Dan’s was merchandising. Merchandising is essentially organizing the displays to be more appealing to customers and so that the products are easy to find. At first I thought it was kind of silly almost like I wasn’t doing real work, but then I realized how important it actually is. I started noticing that whenever a certain display was messy, gross or empty, it would deter customers. I even noticed that I do the same thing when I’m shopping. For example, when I go clothes shopping I’m always attracted to the well put together displays and deterred from the messy ones because they feel picked over. The same is true for all merchandise! We separate the nice fruit from the gross fruit and put the nice ones on display and the ugly ones in the bargain rack. This is so the less desirable ones don’t spoil our display, yet we can still make a profit off them. The second part of the merchandising is making displays look full and freshly stocked. This is important because it makes the customer feel that they have options and that the selection isn’t picked over. It’s the little things like these that make the store a better establishment.
While learning the cashiering system and merchandising are important, the most important skill I learned at Dan’s was how to have good customer service. We get all different types of people at Dan’s, which I like. Since we sell something for all consumer types, we get everyone. While most of these people are just mellow Alameda citizens, every once in a while we get a difficult customer. On my second day on the job I had to deal with my first difficult customer. I rang up some of a customer’s items incorrectly and gave her the money we owed her, but she still wasn’t happy. She started to compare the transaction to her profession saying that if she messed up as a doctor, someone could die. I really wanted to say something rude back but I held my tongue and told her I was sorry. Luckily my coworker came to the rescue and told the lady that it was only my second day on the job. She then said something rude and left saying she wouldn’t shop here again. Not only did I learn to keep my mouth shut with difficult customers, but I also learned not to take them personally. Obviously I thought the whole situation was ridiculous which helped me put it into hindsight. Only some who had their own problems would snap on a stranger like that. Luckily though I don’t have many difficult customers but regardless, I treat them all with respect.
I’m definitely grateful that I decided to get a job last summer because it gave me a new experience and a taste of what adult life will be like. I had to learn how to wake up on my own and on time with enough time to get ready. I had to learn how to work at the store and manage the system. I learned how to how to have conversations and interact with the public as well as my coworkers. And most importantly, I had to learn how to become a good employee. I've definitely matured from my first job experience.
Log 1 6/25/14
Today was my first official day of the job. I was working the register, and just within the day I've improved so much. Everything in the store has a code so I need to remember all the codes. So far I now have two codes down; kiwis which are 4030 and cherries which is 4045. I'm also getting to know my coworkers so much better. My coworkers are Solaria and Liane both whom I've known previously working here. I'm also getting to know our neighbors better, JP Seafood. Everyone who works here is really nice and I think this job will work out.
Log 2 7/3/14
After a week on the job I feel much more confident with how everything is suppose to be done. I've gotten to the point where I can
ring up a customer with no help and I've mastered the art of packing grocery bags. Unfortunately I today I got a mean customer.
Since I'm still new I find that some people wont show patience with mean and become exasperated with my speed or my mistakes.
I don't take these things personally I just wish some people were more understanding and accepting. For the most part though ,
everyone who comes in is usually nice and hospitable.
I think this is because Alameda is a pretty chill place.\
Log 3 7/9/14
So, slowly and steadily I've been acquiring new codes into my memory. Today I didn't even need to ask my coworkers what the codes
were , I either just looked it up myself or had it memorized. Today, we also got a new coworker. Her name is Mickey and she is a bundle
of energy. I'm not sure how I feel about her yet. She takes on a lot of responsibility but she can't always execute it. She also has so
remarks that are kind of passive aggressive. Anyways we are on her trial run so who knows if she will stay anyways.
Log 4 7/20/14
So Mickey decided not to stay at Dan's and we hired a new employee named Taylor. I know Taylor from elementary school so I'm
glad I don;t have to deal with a new stranger. We also seem to work together really well which is also a plus. Today we also got in a
lot of heirloom tomatoes. These things are absolutely delicious. I took for of the home today because its the peak of the tomatoes
season. Basically Summer season is the best, all the best fruit comes in the summer.
Log 5 7/27/14
Since my schedule was changed, I know work on Tuesday. Tuesday is a special day because it's when we get all the groceries delivered. So Today instead of working the register I was pricing and stocking products. Turns out I like this the best . While I'm not totally adverse to people, I find that interacting with them is often draining. So stocking is much more ideal. Also stocking allows me to know the products in the store better. Turns out we sell barbe que sauce I didn't know that. So know I can assist customers so much better.
To complete my senior internship project I chose to use my job at Dan's Fresh Produce to fulfill the requirement. By this June I will have worked at the establishment for a year as a cashier. I was first introduced to the position through a childhood friend of mine who is also my coworker. She put in a good word for me, and set up an interview with my future manager. Everything went really well during the interview so we set up a trial run for me for the next Sunday. That Sunday was definitely a new experience for me like a fish being thrown into a new pond. I was introduced to all the responsibilities of my job and boy were there a lot to remember. First and foremost I had to learn how to operate the cash register and the codes for all of our products, then I learned merchandising and how to make the store look more appealing to customers, lastly and most importantly I learned how to deal with people. These are the three foundation skills for in merchandise.
The first thing I learned was how to use the cash register. It was really hard because our system runs on codes which need to be memorized. The two types of codes are Bar codes, which can be found on the side of packaged products and PLUs which are assigned to a produce item. While, I don’t need to memorize the bar codes, I do need to memorize all of the PLUs in order to ring up a customer. So those first few weeks definitely rough because I would be checking out customers and I would need a code. I would have to ask a coworker or quickly look it up because I didn't know it off the top of my head. This can take time and meanwhile I have an anxious customer that wants to be rung up quickly. After a while though, I started to get the hang of it and I can now ring up customers with ease. This helps so much especially since my mind is at ease and not frantic and nervous so I can also deal with the demands of the customer at the same time. While I may not have memorized all the codes yet, I know enough to do my job efficiently.
Another thing I learned while working at Dan’s was merchandising. Merchandising is essentially organizing the displays to be more appealing to customers and so that the products are easy to find. At first I thought it was kind of silly almost like I wasn’t doing real work, but then I realized how important it actually is. I started noticing that whenever a certain display was messy, gross or empty, it would deter customers. I even noticed that I do the same thing when I’m shopping. For example, when I go clothes shopping I’m always attracted to the well put together displays and deterred from the messy ones because they feel picked over. The same is true for all merchandise! We separate the nice fruit from the gross fruit and put the nice ones on display and the ugly ones in the bargain rack. This is so the less desirable ones don’t spoil our display, yet we can still make a profit off them. The second part of the merchandising is making displays look full and freshly stocked. This is important because it makes the customer feel that they have options and that the selection isn’t picked over. It’s the little things like these that make the store a better establishment.
While learning the cashiering system and merchandising are important, the most important skill I learned at Dan’s was how to have good customer service. We get all different types of people at Dan’s, which I like. Since we sell something for all consumer types, we get everyone. While most of these people are just mellow Alameda citizens, every once in a while we get a difficult customer. On my second day on the job I had to deal with my first difficult customer. I rang up some of a customer’s items incorrectly and gave her the money we owed her, but she still wasn’t happy. She started to compare the transaction to her profession saying that if she messed up as a doctor, someone could die. I really wanted to say something rude back but I held my tongue and told her I was sorry. Luckily my coworker came to the rescue and told the lady that it was only my second day on the job. She then said something rude and left saying she wouldn’t shop here again. Not only did I learn to keep my mouth shut with difficult customers, but I also learned not to take them personally. Obviously I thought the whole situation was ridiculous which helped me put it into hindsight. Only some who had their own problems would snap on a stranger like that. Luckily though I don’t have many difficult customers but regardless, I treat them all with respect.
I’m definitely grateful that I decided to get a job last summer because it gave me a new experience and a taste of what adult life will be like. I had to learn how to wake up on my own and on time with enough time to get ready. I had to learn how to work at the store and manage the system. I learned how to how to have conversations and interact with the public as well as my coworkers. And most importantly, I had to learn how to become a good employee. I've definitely matured from my first job experience.
Log 1 6/25/14
Today was my first official day of the job. I was working the register, and just within the day I've improved so much. Everything in the store has a code so I need to remember all the codes. So far I now have two codes down; kiwis which are 4030 and cherries which is 4045. I'm also getting to know my coworkers so much better. My coworkers are Solaria and Liane both whom I've known previously working here. I'm also getting to know our neighbors better, JP Seafood. Everyone who works here is really nice and I think this job will work out.
Log 2 7/3/14
After a week on the job I feel much more confident with how everything is suppose to be done. I've gotten to the point where I can
ring up a customer with no help and I've mastered the art of packing grocery bags. Unfortunately I today I got a mean customer.
Since I'm still new I find that some people wont show patience with mean and become exasperated with my speed or my mistakes.
I don't take these things personally I just wish some people were more understanding and accepting. For the most part though ,
everyone who comes in is usually nice and hospitable.
I think this is because Alameda is a pretty chill place.\
Log 3 7/9/14
So, slowly and steadily I've been acquiring new codes into my memory. Today I didn't even need to ask my coworkers what the codes
were , I either just looked it up myself or had it memorized. Today, we also got a new coworker. Her name is Mickey and she is a bundle
of energy. I'm not sure how I feel about her yet. She takes on a lot of responsibility but she can't always execute it. She also has so
remarks that are kind of passive aggressive. Anyways we are on her trial run so who knows if she will stay anyways.
Log 4 7/20/14
So Mickey decided not to stay at Dan's and we hired a new employee named Taylor. I know Taylor from elementary school so I'm
glad I don;t have to deal with a new stranger. We also seem to work together really well which is also a plus. Today we also got in a
lot of heirloom tomatoes. These things are absolutely delicious. I took for of the home today because its the peak of the tomatoes
season. Basically Summer season is the best, all the best fruit comes in the summer.
Log 5 7/27/14
Since my schedule was changed, I know work on Tuesday. Tuesday is a special day because it's when we get all the groceries delivered. So Today instead of working the register I was pricing and stocking products. Turns out I like this the best . While I'm not totally adverse to people, I find that interacting with them is often draining. So stocking is much more ideal. Also stocking allows me to know the products in the store better. Turns out we sell barbe que sauce I didn't know that. So know I can assist customers so much better.