Mini Profile - Karla Baker (staff who works with hands)

Meeting students from all over and getting to know the students are what make her job worthwhile, despite the long operating hours and working late nights.
Karla Baker, supervisor for the 1873 Cafe & Sports Grill, said she loves interacting with the students and it's an essential part of her job.
"We're all about customer service and communicating with the students," she said. "The students are what make the job worth it."
Baker carries herself in calm manner. Even with students coming in and out during the busy lunch and dinner hours, Baker takes orders and prepares orders with the rest of her staff without getting caught up in the chaos.
"I'm never mad and I like to be happy," Baker said. "I love to talk and socialize with the people I get to interact with."
While visiting 1873 around 1:30 p.m. on a Tuesday afternoon, there were few students eating and socializing in the grill. However, Baker and three other members of her staff were cracking jokes, having a few laughs and looked as though they were having a great time amongst themselves.
As supervisor, Baker said she has to have good communicative and people skills. There's a lot of interaction with students, faculty and other staff. She also has to have a tolerable stress level, especially during the busy hours.
One of the biggest disadvantages to Baker's job is that the grill operates from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
"There's no reason for the grill to be open till 2 a.m. That's just too late for college students," Baker said. "All of you should be asleep by then!"
Working in a college environment allows for getting to know students from all over the country, even across the world. Baker said it's quite an experience and is a great way to give back to the students.