High school is the perfect time for students to explore their interests and try new things. Getting a part-time job is an excellent way for students to both gain work experience and make extra money on the side. In California, minors can get work permits as young as fourteen years old but with limited working hours. Many students at Mater Dei take advantage of this opportunity and obtain jobs, which further prepare them for the real world.

Sophomore Genevieve Butscher works as an aerial hoops instructor at Elevate Aerial Studio. Originating from her love of doing aerial silks and hoops, Butscher found that she enjoyed it so much that she wanted to help others foster a love of the activity as well.

“I discovered how passionate I was for doing aerial hoop and got more and more into it,” Butscher said. “I can let go of whatever happened in my day and just focus on having fun. I wanted to help others feel that same freedom.”

Butscher explains what a day in her job looks like.

“I get to the studio a little early and start by rigging up the equipment I need for the day,” Butscher said. “I set the hoops at a good height and sometimes I’ll review what I will be teaching that day. Then when the students arrive, we warm up, stretch, and do conditioning for the first twenty minutes then work on some combos and moves that I choreographed ahead of time.”

Butscher just became an instructor last year and currently teaches classes once a week for two hours. She loves helping her students improve their own skills.

”I did aerial silks and hoop classes for about two years until I became a hoop instructor last year,” Butscher said. “I really enjoy being able to do what I love while helping others have fun and improve. I especially love seeing the students’ hard work to achieve a certain goal finally pay off and knowing I had a part in that.”

Junior Evelyn Vos works for Cinepolis Movie Theatre. Her schedule mostly depends on how many people are interested in seeing the movie showings. Vos is in charge of running the concession stand and explains the responsibilities that her job entails.

“The first thing I do is say hello to everyone, then go see what our schedule is for that day,” Vos said. “I’ll then usually restock and prepare for the rush later in the evening. For the next two to three hours I just run the food, popcorn, [and] drinks. After the rush I help restock again and see what I can do. If I am closing that day, I will start to pre-close for the last movies.” 

Vos’s favorite part of her job is the warm and welcoming community she has established among her coworkers.

“My favorite part of my job is the people I work with,” Vos said. “They are the funniest people I have met and make the job so much fun, even when there is a huge rush. Also my managers are super nice and easy to talk to.”

Junior Ty Bragalone works at Raising Canes. Depending on the day, he toggles between working as a cashier and distributing food through the drive-thru. Bragalone’s work schedule is flexible, as he works anywhere between 10-20 hours a week. He explains how he found a job listing that suited him.

“I found my job by looking online at the websites of restaurants I enjoy,” Bragalone said. “There, I found a job listing for a location near me.”

Bragalone advises students looking for a job to search for something they are interested and comfortable in. He suggests ways to complete thorough research to find jobs that would interest them.

“For students looking for part time jobs, I would recommend looking into jobs in places you enjoy, and to know your personal boundaries,” Bragalone said. “If you don’t think working in food service is for you, maybe look for a more customer-service based job instead. There are many job listing websites online, but you can also do your own research for companies near you.”

Bragalone reminds students to be mindful of a work-life balance when looking for a job, so as not to be overwhelmed by the extra responsibilities.

“Make sure you have enough time to still focus on schoolwork and other extracurricular activities,” Bragalone said. “Working too many hours can be tiring and stressful. Prioritizing certain aspects of your schedule is important to maintain a healthy school, work, and life balance.”