How Growing Up in a Restaurant Taught Me More Than Any Degree Ever Could

Service industry jobs are messy, chaotic, and, let’s be honest, often underappreciated. But they teach you real, hands-on skills. The kind that don’t fit into a degree but that will carry you through life. You learn how to deal with stress. If you've worked in a kitchen, you've already got a master’s degree in handling stress. After dealing with chefs barking orders, the rest of the world’s yelling feels like background noise!

You can always tell when someone’s worked in a restaurant. There’s this grit, empathy, and ability to think on their feet that’s hard to fake!

I learned that early. My parents owned a hotel and later a pub, and I was just a tiny kid when they put me on a chair in the kitchen so I could start washing dishes. I wasn’t even 7, but there I was, cleaning tables, helping in the kitchen, and learning the ropes.

Over the years, I worked in all kinds of restaurants. I waited tables, washed dishes, worked in fine dining. When I was studying, I also became a bartender.

And when I couldn’t land a job after graduation, I packed up and headed to Switzerland for a gig as a waiter. And you know what? Every one of those jobs gave me something that no classroom ever could.

Anthony Bourdain once said working in the service industry teaches you things like discipline, how to handle criticism, and most importantly, how to read people. He was right. I got all that, but I also learned how to hustle, host, how to work with a team, and how a bunch of total strangers can feel like family.

So, if you’ve worked in a restaurant — I see you, and I know you’ve picked up some next-level skills.

And if you haven’t, maybe give it a shot.

You’ll walk away with more than just a paycheck. Trust me, the world could use more people with the empathy and hustle that comes from a little time spent in a busy kitchen or behind a bar.