Hello! My name is Joe.
I have worked at LUU in the Bars and Venues Team for the past ten months, at Terrace. I recently went from Bartender to Supervisor, which was super exciting!
I have absolutely loved my time at LUU so far as student staff, and this is why.
As a Supervisor, my role at Terrace spans many different responsibilities.
My main job is to look after the bar, the staff, and the customers, keeping everything in check for absolutely everyone who walks through the door.
Working at Terrace has really improved my previous impressions of what working on a bar is like; being surrounded by like-minded people is so exciting, particularly when so many of us are students! Working at Terrace has been one of the most central parts of my social life at uni so far. I have met some super close friends working behind the bar, and genuinely love it!
With a super diverse team of staff, there is always an incredible story to listen to on shift. Everyone is so different, and that’s what makes Terrace such a positive working environment!
One thing that really stands out about working at Terrace is the community you build with customers and staff.
As students, there is always something to celebrate. Whether it’s a good grade in an essay or graduation, people are always in Terrace sharing good news. Helping them feel good in their moment is one of my favourite aspects of bar work.
My work hours are also really flexible, and I’ve never felt anxiety about booking a day off – which is a blessing after working for larger companies.
Working at Terrace has not only given me leadership and bar experience, but experience within marketing too.
Recently, I have started running the Terrace TikTok account and helping the managers out with the Instagram.
Running the TikTok has me coming into work on days when I’m not even scheduled. I find it so much fun chatting with my fellow staff members and coming up with silly ideas for videos! We want the whole student community to know that Terrace is a safe and fun place for everyone, and that’s exactly what I’m trying to do with our social media.
Despite my very busy work and uni schedules, I love being in societies too! I’m part of Open Theatre, a society that focused on student-written pieces of theatre.
This year I was involved in a production called ‘Acetone,’ written by Ana Thompson and Eloisa Liardet. It was a super fun show, and it was so wonderful to see the ways that student written theatre can thrive in Leeds.
I was also a part of the Theatre Group x Open Theatre ‘Page to Stage’ project, which I wrote some short scenes for. I absolutely loved doing this project, and it was amazing to see the ways that our societies can inspire and lift us up. I’m planning on maybe even writing a full play at some point!
I am currently going into third year for my Theatre and Performance degree.
This degree is absolutely incredible: the support staff, the students, and the facilities we have available are absolutely phenomenal, and I feel so lucky to have chosen Leeds.
I did some drama school style training before coming to Leeds, and the nature of it just didn’t suit me. I’ve found that the diversity of the course here suits so many people’s needs, and has such high quality teaching!
If I ever find time to relax amidst all my commitments, I typically like to write, play guitar, cook and run.
Finding a creative outlet when so much of your life is already creative can be tricky, but so necessary! I also love just being around friends and being outdoors- it’s so revitalising.
At the moment, I’m loving romanticising every hard job I have to do by sitting outside while I do it.
I am constantly admiring the green spaces that we have available in Leeds. Whether I’m writing, doing uni work, or just basic life admin, I will be somewhere green while I do it!
My favourite green spaces are dotted all over the campus and the city. We are so lucky to live in such a varied city as students, and Leeds absolutely has my heart.
I have never lived somewhere so walkable and comfortable!
As I’ve said before, I think our campus is so beautiful.
It’s such a brilliant place to study, chill and chat! I am very lucky to be a School of Performance and Cultural Industries Student, so I get to explore such incredible facilities as part of my degree.
However, I do just spend all my time in Terrace! Whether I’m studying, or pretending to study, the place has such beautiful energy and natural light that I just have to sit in there all day. I think studying in LUU is so underrated!
The Student Staff Diaries: Isla
The Student Staff Diaries: Sacha
