UMISSION

I tried other jobs, but what I do best is working with other people…I love it….. I can multitask and do four or five different things at one time.  I would say every day is my best day, because I love coming to work.

1.  What led you to the mission of being a Crew Trainer at McDonald’s Restaurant?

My first job was at a McDonald’s.  I was only in high school and McDonald’s opened a new store near my house.  I did an interview and got the job.  It was really fun.  There were a lot of high school friends working there at the same time and we would have fun with each other while we worked hard.  Later, I tried other jobs like real estate.  But I didn’t like those jobs.  What I do best is working with the other people here at McDonald’s.  I’ve been with them for almost ten years now.  I love working here.  I’ve stuck with it.  It’s my home.

2.  What does this mission mean to you?

This mission means a lot because I’m the main supporter of my family.  I love being here.  I don’t think I would be able to do anything else because fast food is what I am good at doing.  I can multitask and do four or five things at one time – doing the drive through, working on the counter, making coffee.  At first I didn’t think I would be good at it.  I thought I would just do it in high school and make a little money.  I’m awesome at it now.  If I stick with it, my managers can see me becoming a manager some day.  I’ve been to management classes and hope, some day, to become a manager.

I’ve learned to live one day at a time because I know you are not promised the next day.  I don’t know what God has in store for me.  You never know when it is going to be your time to go.  I just watched a customer here become sick and he passed away.  Another one of my customers has cancer and is very sick.  He has to use a walker now.  I see him every morning.  I accept that every day is a good day for him because he is still alive.

It is rough hearing that kind of news because I get to know all the people who come in every morning.  There is a whole row of older men who come in every morning.  They can be the best in the world, but they can also be trouble.  We joke at the counter – it’s all fun and games and they check up on me as well.  They ask, “How are you feeling?”  They are like family.  I see them every day and they even do nice things for me on special days.  On one special occasion, they even brought me some cupcakes.

3.  What was your best day as a Crew Trainer McDonald’s Restaurant?

My best day is when I was approached with the idea of becoming a manager.  I was shocked because I didn’t think I would be asked.  There is always so much going on, so I was surprised when someone approached me with the idea.  I would say every day is my best day because I just love coming to work.

4.  What was your worst day as a McDonald’s Restaurant Crew Trainer?

My worst day is when nothing goes right.  I come in and nothing goes the way I wanted it to go.  For instance, something breaks or when people are not working together.  It feels like people see you struggling and let you fall.  They don’t ask if you need help.  Everything goes wrong.

(At this point in the interview, an elderly woman comes over and asks Rebecca for help.  Rebecca jumps up with a smile and winning attitude. She could have explained that her hours were over, she had clocked out, and referred the woman to another McDonald’s employee.  Instead Rebecca spends quite a few minutes helping the woman.  Rebecca’s words about loving her job are observed in action.  She has timed out for the day, but is still happy and joyous working with a customer.)

5.  How did you survive your worst day?

I just move through it!  I just take it with a grain of salt.  I’ve learned not to take anything for granted.  Life is too short for all that nonsense.  I let it go in one ear and out the other.  I just don’t think about it any more.  If I stew about something, I can’t let it go, so I change my mind and think about something that is happy.

Like today, I was thinking about something, but just changed my mind and thought about people in my life who say, “I love you, you will be OK.  You will get through this.”  My fiancé taught me this.  He told me, “When you have bad days, just flip your mindset.”  Then he will say, “Have a good day.  I love you.  I’ll see you when I get home.”  I think of him all day and feel better when things go wrong.