Work Experience

Did you work/volunteer in Clifton or elsewhere during high school?

The carnival is Jonathan Penn’s home away from home, as you can see on our cover. Flashing lights, dinging machines, and cheers and groans were part of the CHS senior’s nearby environment as a child. His exposure to the merriment was due to his family’s work in the carnival business.

“My family used to own CrossBay Amusement park in Queens, New York,” said Penn, 18. “By growing up in this business, I was never afraid to get my hands dirty working. Which ended up spreading into the interest of working in the automotive industry.”

Penn took these experiences and interests with him to Colfax Avenue. He took an automotive class in his junior and senior years under the instruction of Richard Alberghini.

The Mustang explained that the classes he took not only made him gain a greater appreciation for automobiles. It also expanded his knowledge of the industry as a whole. It has led to him committing to the University of Northwestern Ohio, where he’ll pursue an automotive-dedicated career.

Hisham Ettayebi: I did a couple of hours volunteering with the Muslim Student Association at Smile for Charity, helping to prepare donations.

Krishi Patel: I volunteered at St. Joseph’s hospital for two years. At first, I worked in the finance department. Eventually I transferred into the Intermediate NICU. Volunteering in the Intermediate NICU department, I was given the opportunity to shadow doctors, help the nurses wherever I could, and learn about different conditions while being in a hospital setting. I currently intern at a physical therapy office, where I help out as an aide and assist patients with exercises.

Emely Mata: For about two years doing retail.

Michelle Marin: I was an ISEE volunteer at WWMS for two years. I helped young musicians learn how to play their instrument.

“Backing up my interest in motors and hands-on working,” said Penn. “I started investing in AtV four-wheelers. By doing this, I was able to teach myself the basics on how to work on a motor, which I fell in love with.”

It is hard work, but that is not something that Penn is unaccustomed to doing. As someone who “never [likes] doing nothing”, he enjoys working hard and keeping busy. He has done it over the years in many different types of jobs.

It started by working at carnivals and later selling Christmas trees in New York City. Today, Penn works at a commercial sign company. But he still has a foot in the carnival business.

Penn currently works at the State Fair Meadowlands, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford where Penn does not have a hard time staying busy.

“At the carnivals, I basically do everything,” he said. “I fix the rides, run the rides, move the rides from Point A to Point B, set them up, and break them down.” And, as the cover shows, he climbs the strongman pole to fix the bell.

Gavrielle Rivera: I spent a lot of my volunteer hours performing and participating in activities with the Mustang Marching Band.

James Troller: I have been working at the ice rink at MSU for over two years.

Kiara Negron: I volunteered at the Boys & Girls Club for Keystone for about five years. I loved doing Keystone. It was the most fun thing that I could’ve done. I went to regional conferences and I would do car washes. I worked at a café for the summer and after-school programs. I currently work at the Club. I’m a counselor and have been there for about four years.

Aleksander Prelich: Beginning in 2020, I have worked as an electrician.

Angel Urdaneta: Detailing at Kings of Dents, 197 Christie Ave., for a couple of months.

Jaleesa Pariona loves helping people and taking initiative.

It’s why she enrolled in CHS’ Cooperative Education in both Business and Marketing. Pariona is one of about 60 students who currently combine classroom-based education with practical paid work experience. She works at the Law Offices of Andrew Venturelli in Passaic.

“Definitely time management and organizing myself,” said Pariona, 18, about the skills that she’s gained. “I have to constantly separate things for myself throughout the day … so that I can hit a deadline or have everything done so that [others] can do their job.”

After Pariona leaves CHS for the day, she goes home and changes before heading to work from 1-5 pm. She works for 20 hours per week. She’ll attend William Paterson for Legal Studies this fall and wants to become a criminal attorney.

Kaylee Soto wants to open her own business. The CoOp Education program provides her with the on-the-job experience to develop skills, technology, and career awareness.

Soto, 19, works at Ad Sold It LLC in Passaic, where she schedules appointments, takes calls, fills out contracts, and manages the company’s social media accounts.

“I was really shy to speak on the phone and [the job] helped me open up,” said Soto.

Soto will major in General Business at Kean University.

She plans to take her Real Estate Exam and keep that work as part time while pursuing her lifelong passion to open a skincare business.

“You can start doing whatever you’re interested in at a young age,” said Soto about the Co-Op Education program. “Take every opportunity that you can.”