I'm in desperate need of some career advice and was wondering if the more
experienced can help me out some. Here's the situation:
I was a bartender for about 2 years until the bar in my hometown that I worked
at was forced to close it's doors because of lack of busineses back in
November. After that I desperately tried to find another bartending job in the
resort town close to me. I was denied access to all of these places mostly
because the people told me "Our bartenders have all been here an average of 10
years" or "We need people with more experience." One of these bars was a major
niteclub. I applied for another job there running sound for bands (I'm also a
semi-professional musician) I have been working that job at this major
nightclub since about March. However a few things have made me question things
recently.
First off, the people in my department are probably the lowest paid people at
this place. I only make $10/hr working there and feel like everybody around me
(bartenders, servers, shot girls, security, DJs, etc) is making money except
for me. I know damn well that the bartenders there are making more a night
than I make in a week (and maybe even a month on some nights)
I can't work one night there without missing bartending. However recently I
have found a few (much) smaller places that are looking for bartenders. I know
the money may not be that great (can anything be better than what I'm making
now?) however maybe it will help my bartending resume out more to get some
more experience?
I've thought about just staying at the nite club that I'm at now but there are
a few problems with that:
1. The sound guys at this nightclub hold the record for the highest turnover
rate in the company
2. I've heard from internal sources that there is always people trying to move
up to bartending there and it's extremely difficult.
3. The pay just isn't cutting it and I'm about to get slammed with tuition
bills.
Any advice?