Unflappable by Breah

Unflappable by Breah - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

My first job I was a food runner at Olive Garden. Since then I have had two more jobs working in the restaurant industry, but the first one was especially impactful. It's kind of a given that working in food service you'll experience long hours, lots of stress, and you're definitely going to come by some pretty entitled customers. With it being my first job ever, I was nervous. I had never been responsible for someone else's needs, and the pressure of trying to keep customers happy while trying to fulfill their needs could feel overwhelming.

Many busy Saturday nights were surrounded by guests complaining that their breadsticks are a little too salty. They didn't get enough sauce on their pasta. They want to talk to your manager. I would watch my coworkers spit attitude back at these people. They would lose their cool, spiking more anger in these impertinent guests. I didn't know that my instinct to simply keep a smile on my face and remain polite, even if they don't necessarily deserve it, was one of my greatest strengths.

As my experience in these environments grew, what started as a fear of making someone angry, turned into the ability to help de-escalate tense situations. I learned that I was able to stay neutral, even when someone was on the brink of yelling at me, and sometimes my demeanor impacted theirs. I grew confident in my ability to manage my stress.

This strength has taken me far beyond just working in restaurants. I use these skills in my relationships, academically, my emotions. The ability to stay calm has helped me in my day to day life. I listen intently, and I respond thoroughly. This used to feel like a weakness. I thought I was unable to stand up for myself. I have now found that patience takes strength.

This quality has impacted the way I approach situations as a whole. I don't avoid confrontational situations in fear of upsetting people. I use these abilities to settle anger and stress in both me and individuals around me. Working in the restaurant industry has taught me resilience and patience, changing the way I handle daily situations.