Behind the scenes of unique student jobs

from Carlmont Highlander January 2023

A decade of virality

Behind the scenes of unique Behind the scenes of unique student jobs student jobs

Art & Photos by Myles Hu When thinking of common occupations regarding teen workers, baristas, camp counselors, waiters, and lifeguards are classic jobs that come to mind. On the contrary, there are other high school students who work at uncommon but intriguing places. While some sought out these opportunities based on what was available, others hope to gain tailored experiences for their future through their experiences working.

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Sophomore Ryan Kwan has worked as a pretzel maker at Great America for six months because it was one of few jobs open to 14-year-olds.

“Originally, I went to Great America to hang out with my friends, but then I asked an employee the minimum age, and since it was 14, I later went and applied for the job on Indeed,” Kwan said.

Similar to Nyholm-Goncalves and Dixit, Kwan has learned much about customer relationships during his time working and interacting with the multitude of people that visit the amusement park daily.

“I’ve learned how to upsell products and obviously, how to make pretzels,” Kwan said.

Senior Sophie Nyholm-Goncalves has been an assistant photographer for Jeff Bartee, a professional private photographer in the Bay Area, for three years. Interest combined with a desire for work experience led to her job in the photography industry, an occupation not often associated with teen workers.

“I’m super interested in photography and was looking to start working my freshman year, so I thought it would be a good opportunity,” Nyholm-Goncalves said.

Over time, she has gained many crucial skills from her job.

“I’ve learned a lot about photography in general and more about the working environment and people skills,” Nyholm-Goncalves said.

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Junior Prithvi Dixit is an avid golfer, which has led to his position at Menlo Country Club for almost a year now, where he performs various tasks to maintain a pristine environment for guests.

“I thought, ‘If I was going to get a job, it might as well be at a golf course.’ I also wanted greater insight into the inner workings of golf courses and clubs,” Dixit said.

After reaching out and meeting with both his employer and the higher-ups, Dixit got the job, where he has learned many life lessons.

“I’ve learned about the art of making connections and conversations, as well as how to interact with people in a professional capacity,” Dixit said.