“You give up a lot of your own social life,” Henry said. “It’s hard to make plans to do different things.”

When Henry first took this position in December 2010, she said she did so because she knew it would be an effective way to make money. Although the amount of income she earns varies depending on the night and how many customers she serves, Henry said she typically makes between $125 and $350 per shift.

“I knew it was the easiest way for me to make money, and I support myself,” she said.

Henry’s duties include setting up the bar, making sure all the alcohol is fully stocked and attending to thirsty customers.

Former MSU football player Brad Sonntag, who has been one of Henry’s managers at Harper’s for about five months, said she is one of the restaurant’s hardest workers, and he is pleased with her performance thus far.

“She’s been (bartending) for a long time, so she’s really good at it,” he said. “She’s a pleasure to work with, (and) you can’t really ask much more of her.”

Since she accepted this bartending job about a year and a half ago, Henry said there have been many obstacles she has been forced to overcome.

Not only do the out-of-the-ordinary hours she works leave her with an undesirable sleep schedule, but Henry said they also take a toll on her social life, providing her with little time to spend with friends. A typical work day for Henry might start at 5 p.m. and finish up at 3 a.m. or later.

“Basically, I’m nocturnal,” she said. “I go to bed at 5 (a.m.) or 6 (a.m.) and get up around noon or 1 (p.m.)”

Henry said another downside to her job is dealing with intoxicated customers who misbehave or act inappropriately. Fortunately, as she gained experience as a bartender, Henry said she learned to put up with such customers, making her job less stressful.

“You have to not let it affect you in real life,” she said. “They’re not aware of how busy you are and how much work you have to do.”

For MSU alumna Kelsey Nover, who has known Henry since high school, having her best friend work at a bar comes with numerous benefits.

“When I go to Harper’s, she can put me on the VIP list, and sometimes I don’t have to pay cover,” she said. “If she sees me, I don’t have to wait to get a drink.”

But that doesn’t mean the pair’s relationship doesn’t have its shortcomings as well. Nover said Henry’s busy schedule makes it difficult for the two to get together sometimes.

“It’s kind of bittersweet because she’s there, and she can hook you up and stuff, but at the same time, she has to work most weekends, so it kind of sucks going out without her,” Nover said.

Henry said although some aspects of her job are less than ideal, she still prefers bartending to many of the other positions she is qualified to hold as a recent college graduate.

“It’s different than working in some part-time retail job,” she said. “It can be a lot of fun.”