Tufts Blogs

Flashback to April, 2015. I was a freshman, excited to be finishing up my first year of Tufts. One day I was scrolling through the “Class of 2018” facebook page when I stumbled across a post advertising a job in Tufts Dining. Specifically, they were looking for students to work at the Brown and Brew, Tower, and Mugar cafés as baristas. I spent part of the year working for the Drama Department, painting sets, but didn’t have a steady on-campus job, and this one seemed perfect. I got in touch with the girl who posted the ad, interviewed, and landed the job.

I have to admit: when I first received the Tufts Dining XL burgundy uniform t-shirt (all of the smalls were already taken) and the solid black cap I was embarrassed to wear them in public. I would always wear a sweatshirt over the shirt which I’d take off during my shift, or I’d bring a change of clothes. When all of my friends were getting glamorous jobs in academic departments or research labs I felt silly in my dining uniform. Even though I liked my job I didn’t like being associated with Tufts Dining.

Jump back to the present, and I proudly wore my Tufts Dining shirt (now light blue) all day today, even after my shift was over. The entire staff of Tufts Dining is one of the most incredible group of people I’ve met. The very first employee I was introduced to was one of the adult, non-students who lovingly refers to everyone as “sweetheart” in her Boston accent, and the current student supervisor gracefully manages a of group of college kids with ever-changing schedules. Over my four semesters working in this circle of cafés I’ve gotten to meet an assembly of people who remind me to work harder and that every once in a while it’s my turn to get my hands dirty.

The warmth of Tufts Dining extends far beyond my circle though. On snow days our incredible dining employees camp out overnight in the dining halls so they can open at 8am to feed our hungry campus. The Tower Café is open until 1am every night, as is the Commons and Carm on weekends, and the employees who work those hours never show signs of fatigue. Many of the dining hall staff-ers form friendships with the students, and Idah, one of Tufts’ favorite dining employees, is a campus celebrity of Tony-Monaco-levels.

I might get burns on my fingers more often than I’d like to, and I smell like coffee too many days of the week, but I love my job at Tufts Dining, and love my team of co-workers. Plus, coming up with drink concoctions isn’t bad, either.

Concoction of the Week: “Thin Mint” – 1 earl gray tea bag, steamed milk (preference: soy), 3 pumps white chocolate, 2 shots vanilla syrup, 2 shots peppermint syrup, optional whipped cream and chocolate shavings.