Gaining valuable job experience

As some of their peers sit on their couches, many young men and women are out and about this summer. Getting a summer job is not an easy task, but the benefits are plentiful, such as getting some extra cash, enhancing a resume and gaining working experience.

Although some places don’t hire seasonally, several local students have found places that do accept summer workers.

Wantagh native Jake Sinacori, 17, is a concessions worker at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater. Sinacori followed the lead of his sister, Christie, who also works at the venue. “I like how it isn’t the most pressure-filled job, but it is still a paycheck and the hours are reasonable,” Sinacori said.

During a typical day of work, Sinacori said the first hour or two is used to prepare for the show. The amount of set up time needed, he said, often depends on the popularity of that night’s performer. He added that one unique aspect of the job is that a lot of his co-workers are people he knows from Wantagh.

Colleen Schaefer is working this summer as a cashier at King Kullen on Wantagh Avenue. “I think it’s great to work here,” she said, “because when you’re away as a college student most of the year, and are welcomed back to work when you’re home, you can have a sense of job security.”

As a nursing student at Misericordia University, Schaefer, 20, has been working summer and winter breaks at the supermarket in her hometown for two years. “You get to see some familiar faces while at home,” she said, adding that she has the chance to make some extra cash.

“If you want a summer job, you have to sacrifice,” Schaefer advised. “You are building a resume, saving money for college, and, in the long run, you will be better off.”

Another hard worker in the community is Christian Wendt, 18, of Seaford. It was his third year as a counselor at Seaford Recreation Camp, which ended on Aug. 7. Wendt said he noticed that he grew as an adult through his role at the camp. “I feel like it is my job to be a good leader and example to the children each and everyday,” he said.

When he isn’t working as a camp counselor, Wendt does shifts at Karl Ehmer Meat on Merrick Road in Seaford.

Fellow deli worker, Kim Tierney, of Wantagh, works at SeaQua Deli. “The daily lunch rush is a real killer and many times I’m caught taking call after call after call,” said Tierney, who primarily takes orders from customers for pick-ups and deliveries. “After about 2 p.m. things start to slow down.”

Tierney, a senior psychology major at Hofstra University, has been working at SeaQua on the Seaford-Massapequa border for about three months, after being a regular customer there for years.

“I love the people I work with,” she said. “I’ve never worked with a group of people quite like this one. Even the customers will agree that the staff creates a personable and friendly experience.”

Like most summer jobs for local students, there is an emphasis on customer service. “I am responsible for making sure that the customer is happy with the services they’ve received,” said Sinacori, who has been working at the theater since June.

“You have to be a people person,” Schaefer added, saying that qualities such as being cooperative, respectful and kind are necessary to connect with customers.

In terms of customer service, Marissa Carroll, 14, of Wantagh, has been serving the swimmers at the Wantagh Park pool concession stand. One of her favorite parts of the job, besides having the view of the pool and the marina, is the customer interaction. “They’re always so nice and happy because they are enjoying a beautiful day at the pool with their family and friends,” she said.

Carroll has been working at the concession stand since the beginning of July. She is responsible for handling food, keeping the counters clean and working the cash register. She noted that the chicken and fries combo is the most popular item on the menu.

Many local student workers grasp the fact that their duties are being appreciated by their employers. “I’m recognized and appreciated for my work and that makes me all the more motivated to do my job well,” Tierney said.

“I feel that I am a valuable asset to them and the camp as a whole,” added Wendt, who worked at the camp coordinated by his uncle and his former gym teacher. He was is in charge of keeping the campers busy on the hot summer days.

“I like being outside and having fun,” Wendt said. “It’s an amazing experience.”  

Summer jobs have their perks, like for Sinacori who is able to watch the end of shows once he finishes his job at the concession stand.

Being a part-time worker teaches many local students the basics of management and responsibility. “Working has taught me that people skills are very important,” said Schaefer. “From just being friendly and saying ‘hi’ to customers to following instructions from a boss or another employee, I’ve learned to work with others. My first job is teaching me skills for when I enter the real world.”