Fast food restaurants are a great way for teenagers and young adults to get experience in the work force. It was for me anyway.

While the pay rate is almost criminally low, I distinctly remember any money coming into my bank account was a huge deal. Plus, I can admit that I learned a few things in my time there.

Apart from the obvious stuff about flipping beef patties and wiping down tables, a few more lessons have stuck with me from my days at the cash register.

#1 Mistakes Are Important

Mistakes. Everyone makes them. In a fast-paced, high intensity environment like a fast food restaurant during a rush, mistakes can throw off a whole chain of events and cause serious carnage. In saying that, no one can make a perfect burger on their first attempt. I can guarantee everyone’s first try at assembling one of those masterpieces did not go to plan.

Mistakes are what help you improve, in and out of the kitchen.

#2 The People Above You Will Not Always Be Capable Leaders

If you take a look around a popular fast food restaurant, most likely the demographic of employees will be relatively young. This means most of the people in managerial or authoritative positions have barely crept into their 20s. As a result, sometimes the people above you don’t have many leadership capabilities, if any.

You learn quickly to set your own targets and goals in order get the work done while pleasing the people above you in the pecking order.

#3 Sometimes, If You Want Stuff Done Right, You Have To Do It Yourself

Similarly, a generally young demographic also means some employees are yet to build a strong work ethic. This normally results in people only doing jobs if it benefits them directly.

You learn quickly that if you want to get stuff done in the way you want, you have to get up and do it yourself. Especially when you begin to undertake more individual jobs such as making coffee or manning a drive-through window — you’re going to need to have things organised in the way you like if you want to work effectively and efficiently. 

#4 Everyone Has Bad Days

You know those days where you can’t be bothered getting out of bed, you spill coffee all over yourself, your hair’s not falling the way you like it, and you cop every red light on the way to work? Yeah, they suck. But everyone has them.

In a tight-knit workplace such as a fast food restaurant, it’s easy to pick up other people’s negative energy. Whether it’s a customer or a fellow employee, you quickly learn to detect when someone just isn’t having a good day, and then try to avoid that person for the rest of your shift.

#5 It’s All About Attitude

Sure, hospitality is not the most glamorous field of work. The shifts are long, the uniforms are itchy, and you come home drenched in the scent of oil and salt.

But, you learn quite quickly that a shift is only as good as you make it. You’ll find the more positive your attitude is and the faster you pump through customers, the more you’re going to enjoy your shift. I think it’s safe to say this can then be applied to any other job as well.

#6 Keep Calm During The Storm

In my cashier days, I worked directly opposite a popular football stadium. This meant that when there were games being played that night, we would get absolutely swamped by drunk and hungry football supporters. The losing team’s supporters were always especially agitated and pushy, which sometimes lead to the occasional punching match outside.

When everything seems to be caving in around you, you have to learn to keep your cool. The storm will pass — just hang in there.

Conor Morton is a journalism student studying at the University of Technology Sydney. He loves reality television and is undefeated in Kardashian trivia.

(Lead image: Inside Amy Schumer/Comedy Central)