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Why South College? Shaan Ali Remani
Moving Away From Home Jasmine Lynton
'Must Do's' of Durham Harriet Hurley-Sweeney
The Formal Tradition Amy Shuttleworth
Balls, Balls, Balls Jake Holding
The Day It Goes Down (South Day) Jake Holding
South Sports Spencer Taylor
South Societies Maisie James
The Hill Bars Annabelle Langley, Harriet Hurley-Sweeney
The Bailey Bars Annabelle Langley, Harriet Hurley-Sweeney
Life Without Alcohol Louise Mather
South On The Map Adeline Cheung
The Durham Dictionary Mia Stevens
Durham's Best Study Spots Jasmine Lynton
Working While At Durham Phoenix Bailey
O Great Oswald, Bless Our Show Jake Holding
South On The Compass Jagoda Szalewicz
A Musical Touch Charlotte Clipston
The Nest Annabelle Langley
Winter Ball Elizabeth Kalusova
5th October 2024 | Phoenix Bailey Nest bar staff
Working While At Durham
Testimonies of a Nest Bartender
I always knew I wanted to pursue part-time work while studying at Durham. As someone who actively makes life chaotic ‘for the plot’, I thought it would be a fun challenge to see if I could balance work, school, and (hopefully) a social life. But the rewards of my little job in The Nest have transcended time-management skills; I gained friends, experience and a feeling of involvement in the South College community. Maybe all those times cleaning the pizza oven were worth it after all…
Any Durham student knows that it’s hard enough balancing your time between Jimmy’s and Bill Bryson, so why add an extra burden by working at the same time? I found that my bi-weekly bartending shifts helped to structure my week. As a Social Sciences undergrad with many gaps in my timetable (I promise we are studying real degrees), dedicating evenings to working at The Nest forced me to be more efficient with my readings and assignments earlier in the day. As a result, I found myself handing in work ahead of time rather than scrambling to submit at the last minute and regretting my life choices.
As well as filling gaps in my time, I’ve gained valuable experience through my job. Bartending at The Nest means learning how to serve drinks, following rules during opening/closing, and ensuring the cleanliness and safety of the bar space. But it also means communicating with a variety of people and gaining responsibilities.
These are skills that I have both utilised in other aspects of my life and applied in internship applications.
Despite my personal hatred for the pizza oven, working in The Nest has been a highlight. Getting to work events, do shifts with my friends, and help create a friendly and relaxed atmosphere are all great advantages of the position. Unlike my pre-uni jobs in rural North Yorkshire, my workplace is filled with likeminded students who provide ample entertainment, especially when they dress up for themed socials! Being employed by Durham University also guarantees a flexible schedule and reasonable wage, which makes affording my weekly shop in this economy just a bit more manageable.
If you’re curious about getting a job at university, I would certainly recommend it. In the meantime, you must pop down to The Nest and see how much my pint-pouring abilities have come along! ∎
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