Why did you decide to work at Port City Java here on campus?

I always wanted to be a barista. I quit my last job. I love coffee, fell in love with it, got good at it so, yeah.

So do you like being here in Wilmington?

Most of the time. Sometimes I’m like ‘I need to be in a bigger place’, but most of the time yeah.

So this being your main job, how did Hurricane Florence affect you?

Oh, it made me broke! Broke and kind of fat.

How were you displaced by this? Especially for work?

It’s actually crazy because I was like in the process of moving before the hurricane happened and so then I was like kept searching for like a month. So, that was not fun but we have a housing situation now and we’re good.

In the meantime, did you end up looking for other jobs? Were you unsure?

No, because I knew I was gonna come back here and I have like side jobs. So, I was okay. Also, because I’m not a student here, I could see everyone seem to be super stressed about midterms and everything.  I feel really bad for you guys. I’m like ‘I would cry’.

What’s one piece of advice you could give?

Just one day at a time. Don’t freak out too much.

How do you cope with your stress?

Um, I don’t. I’m gonna be honest, I’m not the healthiest when it comes to coping with stress. Just like I said, one day at a time. Just take it in. That line is always there, I’m always here, I will just like get it to you as fast as possible and have a great day.

What’s your favorite part about being a barista?

I feel like there are some people that coffee makes their day. So I guess you know, knowing that I’m helping somebody out and yeah, that’s really just the best part. I know that this is a service that I need. If I don’t have coffee, I’m like ‘I might fight someone’. Not really, but yeah.