Andalusia High School alumna Jakelyn Carter balances being a student, working at Zaxby’s and raising a child.

She started working at Zaxby’s last November because she knew one of the managers.

Carter said that the best part of her job is talking to people.

“I get as many hours as I need, which is great,” Carter said. “And I get to talk to so many people every day. New people come in and I get to talk to them and hear their stories.”

Even though the struggle is real, Carter said that she has a great support system to help her through everything.

“I would say that the most challenging part about it is juggling my hours,” Carter said. “I’m taking summer classes, working and trying to take care of my son. I do what I have to do to keep going though. My family is such a good support system. I am able to do what I do because of them.”

During the summer is the busiest time for Carter.

“We are swamped almost every day during lunch time,” Carter said. “And it’s mostly people that aren’t even from around here. When I’m in school I usually work at nights, but since I am only taking online classes, I am able to work 9 a.m., until 5 p.m., so I can spend time with my son at night.”

For students who are looking for a job, Carter said that Zaxby’s is a great place to work, if they are willing to work.

“This job isn’t a laid back kind of job,” Carter said. “It’s not a hard job, but it is fast paced and you will actually have to work.”

Carter is currently a student at Troy University studying communications and public relations.

“My end goal is to move out to California once I finish my degree,” Carter said. “Once I’m there, I want to find a job working as a public relations representative for a company and pursue acting on the side.”