Will Hick ’27
Staff Writer
“Why are you working at Dags?” asks literally everyone I know when they see me behind the counter filling up customers’ iced coffee cups or sweeping the floor. Let me tell you: working on campus might not be the most fun few hours of my and other student workers’ weeks, but I cannot imagine a world without it. I have worked at D’Agostino Cafe since the first week of my freshman year, excluding my junior year when I studied abroad. Over three years ago, the Dags’ hospitality staff welcomed me with enthusiasm and taught me the ropes of working in a kitchen. Every single day, regardless of whether a student is working or not, the full-time staff offers light-hearted, fun conversations that leave everyone feeling more upbeat and positive. And, if you are a Dags regular, I am sure that you have encountered Brian and his quick-witted comments.
“I wanted that sandwich, but you bought the last one” is one of his go-to lines that typically confuses students before they look up to the sarcastic smirk laid across his face. There has been a big turnover with the full-time staff, but the work culture persists and is one that you want to be a part of. Sure, there are a few tasks around the kitchen that I do not necessarily love. And of course, not every day is a great one simply because I interact with my coworkers. But the radiant community, even if it’s just a small one, could not be more worth it. The sense of collectivity from working at a small establishment is real; if one person slacks, the rest of the workers feel it. That is not a bad thing unless you are hoping for a more passive job, like at the library or bookstore, where workers do not run around and get their hands dirty.
I have built a small community between the full-time staff, student staff, professors, and other hospitality workers that I would not trade for anything. I have made friends and built relationships, all thanks to Dags, where I work alongside some of the most genuine people in the world. I am not saying that everyone is suited to work at Dags, or even in dining services, because of its time commitment and (at times) mental difficulty. However, I am urging you to get out of your dorm room and get involved. Apply for jobs, try out for a club sport, or go to that club’s meeting. I am positive that you will find a sense of community somewhere that you least expect.
Image courtesy of the Holy Cross Magazine
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