How to avoid annoying your cashier? Know what you want to order before going up to the register. Junior Miles Messier has learned this lesson not as a customer, but as a cashier.

Messier began working at Panera Bread at the beginning of the school year. “I kind of applied to it as a gag, like, oh, I’ll go work at Panera. And then they actually hired me,” Messier said, “Target didn’t hire me. Patina didn’t hire me. Starbucks didn’t hire me. So I kind of just settled on Panera. It’s really close to my house, so that was nice.”

The proximity to his house is part of the reason why Messier can balance school and work life. He also relies heavily on free periods, tutorials and X-periods to get homework done before his evening 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. shift. “You think it’ll take up your time, but you really do adapt to it. So even though I come home a lot later, you figure it out. And then when that paycheck comes, you’re on top of the world,” Messier said.

A usual shift goes like this: Messier throws on his apron and cap, then walks to the front of the shop to handle the register. Most customers are people from the surrounding Highland neighborhood or schools. But for Messier, the best part of his shift is when he sees a familiar face. “Some of my really close friends will text me [that they’re] pulling up to Panera, but it’s [sometimes] a classmate or a teacher will come in. That always makes my day,” he said.

Making the food, however, is a lot harder. “It’s like Papa’s Pizzeria. You know how there’s like a timer and stuff. It’s just like that. Except people actually get mad at you, so I get stressed out easily, watching the timer go down. And then I just start throwing stuff on the sandwich, and send it out,” Messier said.

Keeping track of custom orders can be a bit tricky as well. “Whenever someone customizes their sandwich to the point where it’s not even the same thing, I get so mad,” he said, “Go to Subway, we don’t do that here.”

One perk of the job is that Messier can eat his favorite Panera food whenever he wants. Messier personally recommends the Ciabatta Cheesesteak. “I know I just said don’t customize your order, but it’s different because [you have to add] arugula, mozzarella and chipotle aioli to the Ciabatta Cheesesteak and it’s so good,” he said.

And the best part for Messier? Having spare money. “I use [my paycheck] mostly to buy food, lots of Taco Bell, buy my own clothes or if I ever need gas,” he said, “I want to be a saving person. But I run through money so fast. That’s why I’m scared to not have a job because there’s going to be no money.”

From developing financial skills to developing a strong work ethic, the benefits of having a part time job in high school are numerous, if one can manage it.

And Messier can envision himself working in multiple environments, particularly a peaceful coffee shop. Messier has learned by working in a fast-paced environment that maintaining courtesy in all interactions should be the bare minimum. “I would just say, be nice. Not necessarily to me because I’m not like making anything, but at least be nice to the cooks who are making your food,” he said.

But with money in his pocket, a cheesesteak in hand and a gift for conversation, Messier has no plans to change anytime soon.