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8 • HOSPITALITY & HUMAN SERVICES It’s a fun and fast-paced industry filled with jobs that affect people’s lives in a positive way, so if you enjoy working in crowded environments, and have a friendly or outgoing disposition, this may be the field for you. If you are new to the hospitality industry or you’ve never worked before, one of the eas- iest places to land a job is the food and beverage industry. Not only is it the nation’s largest employer outside of the government, but it’s also known for hiring young and inexperienced workers. According to the National Restaurant Association, about one in three adults got their first job experience in a restaurant. So if you enjoy cooking and can handle fast-paced environments, the first job profiled in this volume may pique your interest. Cooks and food-prep workers spend a lot of time on their feet and often have to cook or prepare more than a hundred meals per day. The work can be stressful and de- manding, but if you can handle the pressure of sautéing onions, chopping vegetables, and cooking salmon all at the same time, then you might really enjoy working in a kitchen for a living. Check out chapter 3 for more information. On the other hand, if you love the atmosphere of restaurants, but your idea of cooking is popping a frozen entrée into the microwave, then you should consider working in what is called the front end of the restaurant. Chapter 4 profiles the responsibilities of waiters, waitresses, hosts, and hostesses. The work can be just as stressful, but instead of searing scallops and lifting large pots of boiling water, waiters and hosts make sure that the custom- ers are satisfied and everything is running smoothly. In order to work in the front end, you must be fast on your feet and friendly. If this sounds interesting, you should also check out Chapter 5, which profiles bartenders. Although some bartenders work in the front end of restaurants, they’re more frequently found in late- night establishments, such as bars, clubs, and lounges. This job requires more training than that of a waiter or even a food-prep worker because not only do you need to know how to mix hundreds of drinks, but you also have to be skilled at dealing with disturbances caused by drunken patrons. If the food service industry sounds too fast-paced for your liking, then the hospital- ity jobs featured in Chapters 6 and 7 might be more your speed. Floral arrangers and dry cleaning workers typically work in small, quiet environments. Though their clientele can be just as demanding, both floral arrangers and dry cleaners create their own dead- lines and work at a pace that is comfortable for them. If you’re at all artistically inclined, you might really enjoy the art of picking flowers and arranging bouquets and displays. With customers who may return every week, successful dry cleaners are organized and personable.