Bartenders

Because of the age requirement, students under the age of 21 will find it difficult to get actual bartending experience. Part-time or summer jobs as waiters' assistants or waiters, however, will allow you to watch a bartender at work and in that way learn how to mix drinks and perform other bartending tasks. Preparing drinks at home is good experience, although in itself it does not qualify you to become a bartender. Any part-time or summer job that involves serving food and beverages to the public will give you the opportunity to see if you have the right temperament for this occupation.

Further career exploration may include talking with school counselors, visiting vocational schools that offer bartending courses, interviewing bartenders, viewing drink-making videos on YouTube, and reading bar guides and manuals.