During the month of February, I took some time off from the Improve Group to work at my parents’ restaurant, The Golden Inn, in Superior, WI. I’ve been working at the restaurant every weekend over the past year and a half. The opportunity to assist my parents in running a small business while also participating in the fascinating projects at The Improve Group has been a unique experience.

During the month of February, I was able to spend every day working on the day-to-day operations of running a restaurant. I assisted in the financial matters of the restaurant (especially payroll administration) and working as a delivery man when business demanded it. During my childhood, I learned many parts of the restaurant trade working for my father’s restaurant in Duluth, MN. My month work at The Golden Inn re-emphasized many of same challenges I learned to address during my childhood: the long hours, the stressful environment, the budgetary challenges, etc. The ability to address these challenges allows me to gain unique experiences that are beneficial in both my personal and professional life.

However, I also had the chance to meet and work with great individuals each day. Whether it is old friends that regularly patronize The Golden Inn or hearing stories from the staff, I enjoyed their friendship and learning about their lives. Additionally, these relationships allow me to learn about the difficulties that many of these blue-collar individuals are facing in their lives, providing me a perspective of possible areas of evaluation that The Improve Group may want to pursue in the future. For example, this experience will be helpful in creating survey instruments that relate more closely to the experiences of low-income single mothers and in turn with provide data that will directly address their challenges.

In short, I appreciate the Improve Group granting me the opportunity to spend a month working at The Golden Inn. The experience will truly be beneficial in my approach in my work with the Improve Group. Which brings up an interesting question, how have your experiences outside your professional work influenced your professional work?