Elizabeth Wesson started her first waitressing job at Ruby Tuesday restaurant in Gardendale in July, and she says it’s the most difficult job she’s ever had.

“I worked at a desk before, and I like this way better because I’m working with people,” she said.

When Wesson comes in to work, she usually reassembles the tea containers, sanitizes tables and makes them presentable, and starts a batch of the restaurant’s new cheese biscuits, which waitresses are supposed to serve to every customer. During a busy time, she can have up to eight tables to wait at a time.

“It gets a little demanding and overwhelming at times,” she said. “That’s how I’ve been my whole life; I want everybody to be happy, and I want everyone to get their stuff first, but not everyone can be first.”

Wesson was supposed to start nursing school in January, but had to change plans because of a shoulder injury she sustained while cheerleading in high school. She changed her course of study to dental hygiene, and now aspires to be a dentist.

“Being a nurse and being a waitress are similar, in a way, because you’re always going from place to place making sure people have what they need,” she said. “A dental hygienist isn’t much different, either.”