By Juliana Hoft
Staff Writer
Balancing a job, school, and free time can be challenging. School and a job are usually two separate tasks for most people, but 5 Mira Costa students incorporate a job into the middle of their normal school day.
The student workers at Costa include Alyssa Lloja (junior), Lupe Quintero (senior), Sara Aguilar (senior), Kelly Sass (sophomore), and Kevin Gerami (junior). Because the Food Service at Costa increased the number of carts on campus, these workers help make the lunch lines go smoother and quicker. The five employees work 5 days a week as long as lunch is being served.
“It is a win-win for all. Lines are shorter; student workers take home a nice paycheck every two weeks,” MCHS Kitchen Supervisor Nancy Klosowski said. “They are able to put the job down on their resume. Being able to work on campus makes it very convenient for the students.”
Klosowski first started working at an outside food cart in 1996 and her daughter, who attended Costa at the time, would come by her cart and would help her mom out. Mrs. Kolowski’s daughter planted the idea to the Director of Food Services to hire students. The idea was a success; Klosowski’s daughter and a friend became the first student workers hired.
“Students must be juniors or seniors to apply; occasionally, we make an exception and hire a sophomore,” Kolsowski said. “Students are chosen several ways, mostly by referral, as we do not advertise. Each student fills out an application, required to have a T.B test, the Director of Food Services holds interviews, and check their grades and attendance record. We also speak with their advisor for further reference. We only hire the best of the best.”
Aguilar has been working with Costa’s food services for two years. Aguilar heard about the job through a friend and decided
to apply for the job because she wanted to help out her fellow peers while making money. The job helps Aguilar forget about school stress and other troubles. She also believes that she has gained work experience that will help her become hired in the future.
“This job does not interfere with any of my schoolwork or extracurricular activities. If anything, it has made me have better attendance with only two absences this year,” Aguilar said.
Quintero heard about the job from her friend and fellow coworker Sara Aguilar and has been working in the lunch lines for a year. Quintero likes working at school because it is convenient for her; she doesn’t have to drive or deal with difficult hours. The only difference out of her school day is that she gets dismissed a earlier from her fourth period class to help the cafeteria staff set up for lunch.
“Working during school is such a great advantage because I have time for everything else I participate in, like softball,” senior Lupe Quintero said. “Having a job connected with school really helps with maintaining good grades and staying focused on school.”
Leave a Reply