Nobody understands the pros and cons of having a busy schedule better than Bryce Blankenship.
The University of Idaho philosophy professor not only holds an instructing position with the university – he also serves as the Front of House Manager of the Nectar Restaurant and Wine Bar in downtown Moscow.
Blankenship began working as a server at Nectar four years ago and has been working as the Front of House manager for two and a half years.
He said his responsibilities at Nectar include managing the daily operations, such as scheduling for the wait-staff, building the wine menu and completing all wine orders for the restaurant.
Blankenship said balancing multiple jobs can be a demanding challenge.
“There are weeks that can be a little tough,” Blankenship said. “The biggest challenge is maintaining non-work friendships and relationships.”
While Blankenship said he values the relationships he has with his co-workers, he also spends a lot of time in the public eye, which can place a strain other personal relationships.
Austin Maas | Rawr
Philosophy Professor at UI, Bryce Blankenship also works as the Front of House Manager at Nectar Wine and Food Bar in downtown Moscow.
Despite the challenge, Blankenship said he ultimately enjoys the work he does, both downtown and on campus.
“If I didn”t feel like it was valuable or it was worthwhile I wouldn”t do it,” he said.
Blankenship said a teacher”s work makes them a public figure and encountering students outside the classroom is unavoidable, especially in a community like Moscow.
“It is one of those things that I had to get used to, but now I embrace it,” he said. “I”ve pretty much accepted that no matter where I go or what I do I am going to see students.”
Not only is the philosophy professor recognized around town, but Blankenship said he”s also been recognized while traveling across the country.
“I was flying back from visiting my family in the Midwest and on my flight there happened to be one current student and one former student,” he said.
Regardless of the difficulty that comes with being a public figure, Blankenship said he enjoys seeing current and former students because he believes that not only is everyone connected by the university, but that each person also contributes to the Moscow community.
Blankenship said whenever he sees students outside the classroom he tries to engage with them and discuss how their coursework is progressing.
“I”m interested in how their studies are going and I hope to be an encouraging member of faculty, even if that means just saying hi,” he said. “At the end of the day, teachers are also humans and I think sometimes we can have this view of teachers that makes them seem untouchable.”
Blankenship said he enjoys sharing the Nectar side of his life with students because it shows them that he is just as human as they are.
“I do try as best as possible to keep my lives separate though,” Blankenship said. “So when students come into Nectar, yes I may teach them or may have taught them, but when they”re at Nectar I am not their teacher. They”re at Nectar so I”m going to treat them to good service and good food.”
Despite the busy schedule and challenges holding two jobs may bring, Blankenship said engaging with the Moscow community through his work at the university and Nectar has been hugely rewarding.
“We all care about making a mark, we all care about doing productive work,” Blankenship said. “I feel like I”ve really been able to cultivate that over the past couple years, both at Nectar and in the classroom.”
Austin Maas can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @austindmaas