“Human ashtray” isn’t a widely known job skill, but bouncer Jason Parada can proudly tout that experience on his next resume.

Parada, a junior sociology major, has dealt with fake IDs and drunken combatants since 2001, when he was hired by Molly’s Kitchen, 1022 W. Lincoln Highway, to be its last line of defense at the door.

Parada is not the biggest bouncer out there at 5 feet 8 inches – but he said size doesn’t matter.

“Being a big guy certainly is a plus, but being able to talk to people and calm them down is really a better way to approach a heated situation,” he said. “As far as size affecting me at work, it really has not been a problem.”

Parada’s longtime friend Cesar Estrada of Rockford said he had difficulty at first imagining his buddy as a bouncer.

“Honestly speaking, at first I was surprised because he has never liked to be involved with trouble,” Estrada said. “Later, I realized that it was a perfect position for Jason because he likes to reason with people instead of using physical force.”

Parada admits working at a bar can wear him out sometimes.

“My shift starts between the hours of 6 and 9 p.m., depending on the day, and will go until 2 to 3:30 a.m. on normal nights,” he said. “I try my best to have my work and class schedules complement each other and have been able to do well in my classes, but it wears me out sometimes.”

Parada said a female using his arm as an ashtray after he threw her boyfriend out of the bar is probably the craziest thing that has happened to him on the job. That’s just one of the bizarre events he has borne witness to.

“I have seen people having sex in a car in the front row of our parking lot,” he said. “I have seen people pass out on toilet seats, sinks, tables … and a guy once offered me $100 to have my Molly’s jersey.”

If everything goes as planned, Illinois residents will still have to respect Parada’s authority.

“I want to be a police officer, most likely in the Rockford area,” he said.

Parada said working as a bouncer has been a valuable experience that could help him in his career as a police officer.

“I can talk people out of fighting most of the time and toss them out if need be too,” he said. “I learned how to deal with inebriated people and heated situations, which will benefit me when I become a police officer in the future.”