Source: Maui Time, Maui News, Best of Maui, Maui Activities

Employee%20of%20the%20Week
Jess Harris
Dishwasher, Bubba Gump’s & Barista, Starbuck’s

by AS TOLD TO GABRIELLE POCCIA

May 19, 2005





I came to Maui via a manager transfer with the Gap. After I arrived I felt like I would rather work around more people my age so I answered Bubba Gump’s ad. I was hired 10 months ago and I have worked there ever since.



I started out as a hostess, then started picking up serving shifts a few months later. I wound up being a dishwasher for a little while. They were short-staffed in the kitchen and I joked that I could do it, no problem. One of the managers bet me that I could not last one shift, so I accepted the challenge.



It was one of the hardest jobs I have had. There are only short five-minute breaks and sometimes I would work from 3 p.m. until one in the morning. Dishwashing is really hard-core but at least I’ve never had to wear the shrimp suit.



About four months ago I started working at Starbuck’s as well. I love that job! The manager and all my co-workers are so great. That is probably my favorite job yet. When I go back to my hometown of Salem, Oregon I will probably work at another Starbuck’s there. I plan on going back to Oregon State University to study for a career as an activities director for restaurant events.



Between my two full-time jobs I work around 80 hours a week. It is really hard to find time to go out and enjoy all the beauty of Maui but I still have really loved all the time I’ve spent here. I learned a lot from working at Bubba Gump’s.



I learned the responsibility of being a server and how to deal appropriately with different managers. I met a lot of good people at both my jobs and made many great friends. MTW