By Katie Wagner, Staff Writer
Name: Preeya Dsouza, 30. Hometown: Roselle. Business: Kiosk of Palmer Square/Palmer Convenience Inc. Job title: Manager. Job location: 1 Palmer Square, Princeton Borough
How did you get this job?
I used to work for the owners in another of their convenience stores that was closer to home. When I found out they really needed help at the kiosk, I agreed to come here and manage it.
What kind of education and training did you need?
There’s really minimal education required. Before I started working for the store owners, I knew nothing about managing a store. I started off working the cash register, the credit card machine, the lottery machine and the money transfers and money order machine. After working for them for six months I was given more responsibilities because I liked what I was doing and was interested in learning more about the business. They saw that I was sharp and honest. That’s really why they put me where I am.
Describe a typical day in your job.
At 4:30 a.m., I start my work day by buttering rolls to sell at the kiosk at a different business kitchen. At 5:30 a.m., I open the store. I pay the bills, run the register, sell lottery tickets, sell bus tickets and stock the shelves. I really do everything from marketing to ordering merchandise to seeing that the sell dates on everything being sold haven’t passed. I leave at 4:30 p.m. everyday.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
My favorite part of my job is the customer interaction.
What do you enjoy least?
Waking up early is my least favorite part of the job.
What is the key to success in your job?
Honesty and dedication are the keys to success in this job, because I’m in charge of the store’s money and work a lot of hours.
