Reserve cadres are prepared leaders, but in the early stage, your salary and work are the same as those of ordinary people, even more than others. Only when you have paid at the grassroots level can the leaders see your ability and think that you are qualified for a higher level of work.
However, the so-called reserve cadres and waiters do basically the same thing, and the promotion opportunities are higher than those of waiters, so they will be given priority.