Katie Hunt, 19
Crew Member , Crewe
- How long have you been at McDonald's?
- I’ve been working at McDonald’s part-time for three years while I’ve been studying. I currently work at a restaurant in Crewe, where my university is based, but I used to work in Sheffield. Over the Christmas period I went back to help out at Sheffield while I was at home. It’s great being able to transfer between my home town and university.
- Do you take advantage of flexible working?
- My studies come first so I work around that – usually some night shifts and the weekend. It’s really flexible here, which is the reason I chose McDonald’s. They give you a blank timetable and you write down the hours you’re available. You can work as little or as much as you like, even if it’s just one shift a week just to get a little bit of money in your back pocket. You don’t have to stick to a set number of shifts either; one week you can say you want to work two shifts, the next week you could up it to four.
- Do you take advantage of McDonald’s rewards and benefits?
- I particularly like that I get discounts at TopShop. If I fancy a quick bite to eat I can go into any McDonald’s store and get a discounted meal for myself, friends and family. I’m just about to start learning to drive and I’m going to get discounted driving lessons through McDonald’s, which is great because they’re quite expensive when you’re on a student budget !
- Does McDonald’s benefit your personal life?
- I started working for McDonald’s when I was 16 so that I could save up and go travelling around Singapore and Malaysia for six weeks. It was the trip of a lifetime and I probably enjoyed myself more knowing I had worked hard to earn the money I was spending; it gave me a real sense of independence. The whole experience was made possible thanks to flexible shifts and being able to work as much as possible around college. Also, since starting I’ve grown in confidence due to serving customers and working with different types of people. One of my friends from McDonald’s has got me into cross country running and I’m planning on doing the Three Peak s Challenge for charity. So yes, McDonald’s has really benefited my life outside work.
- What’s the culture like in your restaurant?
- Very friendly. There are a wide range of people from different backgrounds, which is an aspect of the job I really love as I enjoy meeting different people. At the end of a shift we might go for a coffee or to the pub. There are staff parties or sometimes we’ll organise a trip to Alton Towers using our discounted entrance allowance provided by McDonald’s.
- Proudest moment?
- Being named Employee of the Month for effort, getting on with people and coming into work with a positive attitude. That’s important because if you’re friendly and happy it comes across to the customer and helps to brighten everyone’s day.
- Favourite bit?
- Meeting different people. I’ve met loads of people who I would class as friends for life. Also socialising, as we go on good trips and have great parties. I enjoy the nature of the work too: in a town centre you have the challenge of a busy store and the incentive to break records. You can set yourself goals all the time and strive to achieve them. McDonald’s helps you strive to meet your goals.
- What does the future hold?
- I’d like to work with kids as a police family liaison officer. McDonald’s is great experience for this as I’m working with children all the time and learning how to communicate in different situations.