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I have been a bartender for 10+ years now. Although I have a college degree, and formal professional dance background, I still find myself drawn to bartending. I guess it's a natural thing for me, seeing that I was born a party girl. I was introduced to working into the nightclub scene my sophomore year. I landed a job as a shot girl. Not only did I think it was the coolest job a college student could have (taking home cash is ideal for any college student), but I was the envy of all the girls in my dorm, and the guys on campus followed me everywhere! At the age of 19 I was presented with a bartending job. The nightclub had a lot of pull in my college town and saw to it, I received the proper knowledge, and bartending certificate from a highly regarded bartending school. The nightclub is very popular, and I was basically thrown to the wolves. So I started out working in a high volume atmosphere (a bartender's dream come true), and 10+ years later same rules apply!
I never reveal my age, and people tend to think I am younger than I really am, so naturally that works to my advantage. Living in Atlanta, I have come to a cold realization that working in a popular spot is 40% experience, 20% who you know, and 40% how you look. It's a bit startling but we are in the business of entertainment! I've been one of luckier ones I must say. When beginning my bartending venture in Atlanta there were so many spots to choose from, but I only set my sights on a few. I must have had the total package, because I didn't have much trouble being picked up, especially since I knew absolutely no one. In Metro Atlanta the bartending competition is fierce, with everyone is coveting the same positions, I had to get creative and market myself into the private party sector of bartending. I must admit I have made some excellent money, met some pretty great people, and there is endless networking to be done.
I also have discovered you have to be a step above the rest... You know known for something besides being able to make a great drink, and provide intelligent yet fun conversation. Sooo I am known as the dancing bartender. Not only do I make excellent alcoholic beverages with my Daily's, I drink behind the bar while taking orders, and usually end up taking a shot or three myself. But my patrons know I'll jump on the bar if the music is good, and when the song is over I am back on my grind! I must admit guys, as well as girls absolutely love it. Not to mention the club owners get excited because not only am I drawing a crowd to the bar, but my sales tend to boost, and in turn I end up making them even more money! In my opinion it's all about providing a good time right? A few months ago I started taking pole fitness classes at PoleLaTeaz (Atlanta, GA), a pole fitness studio, and I guess that was a good move because now I'm getting crowd participation!
All-in-all I love my job! I wouldn't change it for the world! And I guess in a sense my college degree didn't go to waste. Why? Because being a bartender is very close to being a psychologist. The only difference is instead of a couch, and a box of tissues, we have bar stools, and a well shaken martini!
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