Getting business savvy with their summer work

Many Valley Streamers are taking a dive in deeper waters by making their money in the business world. For them, it is a whirlwind full of busy customers and bustling activities. And these teenagers are making the most of it.

With some taking on duties at local spots and others spreading their wings, they all agree that their summer work experiences have been worthwhile. And as summer comes to a close, many of these young workers said they will remember all the wonderful times of this summer.

So check out these teens taking the stage in their summer roles, where they are making food, friendships and fond memories.

Nicole McBride

Age: 20

School: 2008 graduate of South High

Where she works: Ralph’s Italian Ices on Rockaway Avenue

Time working there: One year

Responsibilities: Helping customers and serving ices.

Likes about the job: “I like the people I work with,” she said. “I try to make sure the customers are happy with what they got.”

Matt Infield

Age: 16

School: Central High, junior

Where he works: Carvel on Merrick Road

Time working there: Since late June

Responsibilities: Washes dishes, cleans and mops the store, makes whip for cakes, makes sure all the ice cream containers are full and serves customers.

Likes about the job: Gets to work with good people, has flexible hours, makes some extra money and has place to stay cool during the summer. Enjoys dealing with the customers. “Being able to serve ice cream and make the customers happy is gratifying,” Infield said, adding that he loves Carvel ice cream himself. Plans to keep working there when the school year starts.

Crystal Granum

Age: 15

School: Central High, junior

Where she works: Lawrence Woodmere Academy Summer Day Program in Woodmere

Time working there: First year

Responsibilities: Supervises a group of first-grade girls. Assists children getting on and off the camp bus.

Likes about the job: “This was a great experience for me because I did something constructive with my summer and I earned my own money,” she said. “I met a lot of new friends and was able to work with some people I knew from before. I enjoyed getting up and going to work. It was fun and allowed me to show my happy personality.”

Joe Ford

Age: 18

School: SUNY Farmingdale, second year; 2009 graduate of Central High

Where he works: AAR Corporation in Garden City, an aircraft component repair company. Got the job through a vice president of the company Ford met at his Eagle Scout ceremony earlier this year.

Time working there: Since early July

Responsibilities: Working as a military intern. Communicating with clients, doing office work such as scanning and photocopying. Collects, packages and ships hydraulic oil samples, and enters data about these samples into the computer.

Likes about the job: Gets to earn some money and learn about the corporate world. Deals with major aircraft companies such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin. “I like how serious it is,” Ford said. “I’ve never had a job of this caliber before. It’s fascinating to see all the behind the scenes stuff of business.”

Imani Taylor

Age: 19

School: Clark Atlanta University, junior; first-year Valley Stream resident

Where she works: Barnes & Noble in Garden City

Time working there: Second summer

Responsibilities: Taking customer orders and mixing up hot and flavored drinks at the store’s café. Does food service and rings up customer purchases.

Likes about the job: “I enjoy working in Barnes & Noble Café,” she said.”The friends I have made there and the things I have learned from working with them will never allow me to regret my decision in applying to work there.”

Tommy Walsh

Age: 14

School: South High, freshman

Where he works: Hot Skates in Lynbrook

Time working there: Two months

Responsibilities: Waiting on customers and preparing food for the many birthday parties.

Likes about the job: “I am the start of the second generation at Hot Skates,” he said. “My mom and uncle were one of the first employees.”

Jennifer Kandel

Age: 15

School: Central High, junior

Where she works: Lawrence Woodmere Academy Summer Day Program in Woodmere as an assistant counselor

Time working there: First year

Responsibilities: Supervising and entertaining 7-year-old campers.

Likes about the job: “It’s been an absolute blast working with such familiar faces,” she said, “and it makes the experience of working there all the more better.”

Kelly Maroshick

Age: 18

School: 2010 graduate of Central High; attending Queensborough Community College in the fall

Where she works: Strong Side Studios in Valley Stream

Time working there: About 10 months

Responsibilities: Teaches dance classes to students.

Likes about the job: “Teaching dance has always been a dream of mine and sharing my love for dance with everyone makes me want to be at work all the time,” she said. “It has been very hard for kids my age to find jobs and knowing I have a job that I love doing is very exciting.”

April Maroshick

Age: 17

School: 2010 graduate of Central High; attending Queensborough Community College in the fall

Where she works: Strong Side Studios in Valley Stream

Time working there: About 10 months

Responsibilities: Choreographs and teaches dance to students.

Likes about the job: “The job is so interesting to me because I love working with others and I am pursuing what I want to be in life,” she said. “Not everyone can say they now have the job they wanted since they were a young child. Being given the opportunity to do what I love makes me feel successful.”

George Cuomo

Age: 17

School: 2010 graduate of Central High; attending Five Towns College in the fall

Where he works: Strong Side Studios

Time working there: Third year

Responsibilities: Does music engineering.

Likes about the job: “I learned to do [engineering] at Memorial Junior High School,” he said, “and was awarded the opportunity to develop my skills at it by recording children and young adults singing their favorite radio tracks.”