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What is the world like when everyone else is asleep?  Nick Johnson, a junior at Grand View University knows.  Nick works the night shift at Costco Wholesale. He takes on a college education, night shifts, and sports all at once.  How does he do this, and what is it like?

Johnson usually works shifts that are from 4:30 a.m to 10:00 a.m or 5:00 p.m to 1:30 a.m stocking shelves and helping customers find things during store hours.  So why do people take these shifts anyways? Johnson said, “ I work night shifts because I get work out of the way, so then that way I have the whole day to focus on school, baseball, homework, and whatever else instead of worrying about all of that plus work in the same time frame.”

Generally, individuals get an incentive to mix up their whole day by working abnormal times.  Getting more money can be motivation for people who can adjust to this sort of schedule. “I got a $2.50 raise for working the night shift” Johnson said.

Mornings can be a struggle for plenty of people.  “I like it a lot,” said Johnson, “I am a morning person. There are plenty of times I wish I could sleep in though.”

There can be benefits to working the night shift, as an outsider would see it.   “I love driving to work and no one is on the roads. It’s very peaceful and nice to have a relaxing drive in the morings.”  Johnson said.

Working unusual hours can generate some unusual memories as well.

“My co-workers and I  were all waiting in the parking lot by our cars, waiting for a manager to get there to open the doors for an early morning inventory shift from about 4:00 am to 10:00 am,” Johnson said, “As we are all walking to the door, about 5 or so cars drive by and honk their horns and sped through our parking lot,”  

This was a strange moment considering the time, and there is not much activity or people out at that time.

People work night shifts for a variety of reasons.  Without the people who are willing to be awake when everyone else isn’t, the world would not be ready for the day.