Mya poses outside of her workplace with a smile on her face. She takes a short outside during the rush of her shift.
This polariod hangs right behind the cash registers, displaying workers of the month both past and present. Mya has been working at Smoke Crave for just over a year.
Mya assists a customer with his transaction. Her usual days start at 9 a.m. and end around 6 p.m..
Typing away at her computer, Mya cycles between tabs to complete assignments. Although she is working full-time during the summer, Mya is a student at Georgia Southern studying to be a nurse.
Her Macbook glows in the dimly lit room. Mya completes her homework between helping customers, she tells me how she loves her job because of people like her boss and her regular customers.
Mo Alshuaibi, owner of Smoke Crave, explains how to use the new POS (Point of Service) system to Mya. Mya tells me how the old systems were "the worst thing ever. They took forever to print recipts and would decline cards for no reason sometimes."
Mya laughs with a regular customer playing Plinko. "I love my regulars." Mya says. "They always come and make me laugh during a long shift. Some of us have grown very close."
The customer laughs as he tries his luck with the game. There are various prizes in the slots where the token can land.
Mya tells me why she wants to be a nurse while arranging some colorful energy drinks. "I have always wanted to help people and work in the medical field, I went to school near Georgia Southern so I thought the nursing program would be perfect here."
Grabbing a handful of the drinks, she glances over her shoulder to see if customers need help. She tells me how she recently got accepted into the nursing program at school, following her dreams of becoming a nurse.
She displays an energy drink called Goat Fuel. She tells me how her work recieves new products weekly and sometimes it gets hard to keep up with the influx of items.
Mya reaches for a packet behind the register. She tells me how she is on her feet for more than 6 hours daily.
She completes one of her other tasks, restocking. "You would be amazed if you knew how much business we get here," says Mya. "I like to say we have a revolving door for a front door."
She takes notice of the missing items and scrawls the name of the item quickly. She is also in charge of inventory for the store.
Mya smiles as she tells me about the stories she has from working at the shop. "There are some crazy things that happen here," Mya says as she laughs. "Sometimes I can't believe it myself.
"
Mya glances downwards while arranging some lollipops. "Although it can be difficult sometimes, I love this job and all of my coworkers here too."
Using an envelope and a pen, she makes a sign detailing a new sale. She tells me she likes making the signs and drawing on them to make them stand out.
Mya chats more with a customer. She has known him for months she says.
She tells me how often the prices change at the job. "It seems like they change weekly. Something is always going down a few dollars. so even when you think you've memorized everything, something changes.
"
She takes a moment to hide away and finish some more of her homework. She tells me how difficult juggling a full time job as a student is.
Mya laughs with her customer. He lingers for a while, catching up with her about recent life events.
