CONFESSIONS ...of a sandwich maker; Rachel Trusler works at the new Cardiff branch of Pret A Manger. She is 21 and from Cardiff.

QHow long have you had your job? AJust a few weeks, since the opening of the new store.

QWhat's your employment history? AFor almost five years I worked in a shoe shop as a trained fitter, I then left to concentrate on my final exams at Exeter University. I am really happy that an opportunity with Pret has come along, especially since I have been out of work for several months. It's nice to return home and be a part of the new development.

QHow did you become involved in the field? What inspired you to choose it as a career? AI became involved in Pret after attending a recruitment day in Cardiff. I was thrilled to gain a place as I had previously visited other Pret stores in London and knew of the company's popularity. It's about time we had one in Wales! Last year, I took part in a competition hosted by the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester, meeting up with top experts spurred on my interest in business decisions within the food industry. It's both challenging and fun at the same time.

QIs there a lot of training involved? AYes, we all took part in an intensive two-week training course at Bristol, where we learned to prepare food, make coffee and perform duties such as till operations and floor organising. There are lots of opportunities to pick up new skills on the job. After becoming a team member, individuals can go on to specialise in particular areas such as: barista, hot chef, kitchen leader or front of house.

QWhat are the best and worst things about it, the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the job? AWithout a doubt, the worst thing about the job is actually wearing a hairnet. Kitchen staff always get mysterious red lines across their foreheads at the end of the day! Another problem is trying to resist eating the chocolate brownie cake, it looks so appetising on the counter, I am jealous of the customers. The best thing about Pret is that staff and customers are extremely friendly; it's always nice to receive comments and know that you have had a briefyet-positive impact on a person's day.

A few weeks ago I was also lucky enough to serve some famous faces but I forgot to get an autograph. In a fast-paced environment, it can sometimes be difficult to stay ahead of the game to ensure waiting times are kept down yet this all adds to the challenge. Setting targets and achieving them gives you a sense of fulfilment.

QWhat's so special about your job? AIt's great to be a part of the founding team in Cardiff, there is definitely a buzz about the place. With lots of variety on a daily basis I never get bored, this is not a predictable, desk-based role.

QWhat qualities do you need to do your job, why does it suit you so well? ATo work at Pret you must be very clear talking and enjoy working as a team. The job takes a lot of patience and understanding but at the same time you need a great attitude and sense of humour. There is a work-hard play-hard vibe.

QWhat advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps? AGet involved! Be proactive, you never know what might happen. The best piece of advice is simply to be yourself and work hard. Get as much experience working face-to-face with customers and handling tricky situations as possible. This will then give you more to write on your CV, providing a taster of the industry. Nowadays, keeping up with the latest news and online press can also help to give you a boost in an interview.