In combination with their academic schedule and athletic regiments, several Loyola students have found time to acquire jobs in their communities.
Senior Declan Floyd has been an usher at the Hollywood Bowl since the spring of 2014.
“I help people find their seats or scan tickets on a given night. I also have to solve problems including seating issues, fights, etc., throughout the night,” Floyd said.
In compliance with his school schedule, Floyd has been able to work six to seven hours per week at night.
“From April through the end of the school year, I work on weekends. During the summer I work just about every day, and then I go back to weekends in September and October,” Floyd said.
Floyd’s connection to the Hollywood Bowl spurs from his sister and friend’s previous employment at the venue. The pre employment testing is usually done before recruiting.
“My sister and her friends started working there before I did, and the father of one of her friends works as an executive there, so all of those people combined helped me to decide to start working there,” Floyd said.
Floyd said that he intends to continue working at the Hollywood Bowl in the spring of 2017.
Junior Enzo Moreno has recently been employed as a courtesy clerk at his local Ralphs.
“I bag items, stock shelves, organize shopping carts, clean, maintain the store and help people to their cars if needed,” Moreno said.
Moreno got the job as a courtesy clerk when he applied online and later talked with the manager. Moreno decided to work at Ralphs because of its close proximity to his home.
Working on weekdays and weekends, Moreno has had to balance his work schedule with his academic schedule.
“I work a total of six hours on the weekdays and 10 on weekends because of my busy schedule,” Moreno said.
Moreno will continue to work at Ralphs for the foreseeable future.
Junior Griffin Chalmers is employed at the Grove near Fairfax as a part of the concierge team.
“I deal with every kind of customer, set up events all around the property and make sure everything runs smoothly with the tens of thousands of shoppers and tourists a day,” Chalmers said.
Chalmers gained the opportunity to work at the Grove through his connections through Caruso Affiliated. Caruso Affiliated develops, owns and manages properties such as The Grove at Farmers Market in Los Angeles and The Americana at Brand in Glendale.
“I was very thankful to have some connections through Caruso Affiliated in order to get the job. It went from just having a first job to a very formal business setting where I am expected to perform on the same level as the executive professionals who work there full-time,” Chalmers said.
Chalmers said that he has been working at the Grove with Caruso Affiliated for six months and plans to continue working as long as possible.
In combination with balancing homework, AP courses and sports, Chalmers said that he works a minimum of 10 hours a week.
“In the summer I was feeling ambitious and wanted to make money and get my first job,” Chalmers said.
Chalmers said he has learned a lot from people skills to customer service and the inner workings of how a shopping center is run.
Junior Garrett Spicuzza enjoys working at Westchester YMCA as a swimming instructor.
“My job is fun. I work with great people so it makes my job better. I get to hop in the pool and teach kids from ages five to 12 how to swim,” Spicuzza said.
Spicuzza works from 5-7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9 a.m.–1 p.m. on Saturdays.
Although he has worked at the YMCA for the past three months, Spicuzza has decided to focus on preparing for the upcoming baseball season.
“I plan to keep working there, but I have to stop soon because of baseball. I plan to go back in May,” Spicuzza said.
Floyd, Moreno, Chalmers and Spicuzza filled out an application in order to receive a workers permit from the main office. Administrative Assistant to the Principal Barbara Jamison handles work permit applications.
When an employer agrees to hire a minor, the minor must obtain from their school a “Statement of Intent to Employ Minor and Request for Work Permit” from the Department of Education. The form must be completed by the minor and the employer and signed by the minor’s parent or guardian and the employer. Students who are interested in obtaining a work permits should see Jamison in the main office.