Sophie Lake, Elizabeth Barry and Thorin Jean
Photos courtesy of Sophie Lake, Colonial Williamsburg and Thorin Jean.
As a camp counselor through James City County’s Rec Connect program, Victoria Baynard spends her summer days on the job at play.
“I really enjoy my job,” said Baynard. “I get to play gym games and board games with the kids. We also go on field trips to several different places like the pool, the Virginia aquarium, Go Karts Plus, a Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball game, the zoo. There are not a lot of days where I am constantly looking at the clock and wishing for time to go faster so I can go home.”
Baynard, 18, started with the Rec Connect program as a volunteer five years ago. She was hired as a paid employee at 16 and worked for two summers as a recreation leader before securing a year-round position with Rec Connect.
“I decided to apply for the job because I loved volunteering and since I loved doing it, why not get paid for it?” she said. “Also, I hope to become a teacher, and really enjoy working with children.”
Elizabeth Barry, 14, also spends her summer time playing as a Junior Interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg. The Junior Interpreter program is a volunteer program for children ages 11 through 18. Barry has been involved for the past three summers.
“I play 18th century games with children, but I also work to help entertain guests and teach them about Mr. and Mrs. George Wythe,” Barry said. “We conduct science experiments, makesilhouettes and teach calligraphy. I enjoy working with the young visitors and teaching them about the past.”
Barry can often be found on the Palace Green or around the Wythe House in costume playing games with young visitors including hoop and stick, bilbo catchers, jackstraws, dominos, battedore and shuttlecock (badminton) and draughts (checkers).
“I love dressing up and escaping my world for the few hours I work,” Barry said. “I do a lot of acting and while being a Junior Interpreter I can show my love of acting and history all in one place. Being someone from the past is fascinating.”
While these teens may be having fun, they are also learning a lot.
“Junior interpreters learn team work, creative thinking and develop social and public-speaking skills,” said Ramona Vogel, supervisor of the program.
Other skills teens learn through their first summer jobs are how to communicate with people with different personalities as well as how to be more responsible, reliable, how to better manage their time, and what it is like to have a boss—or be the boss. That’s what Sophie Lake, 17, is experiencing as a supervisor at Kilwin’s Chocolate and Ice Cream on Prince George Street.
“I am responsible for helping to run the floor, keep products stocked, and making customers happy,” Lake said. “I also get to work in the kitchen and make the caramel and chocolate products. My days in the store usually involve communicating with my coworkers about our expectations for the day, then making sure that everyone feels comfortable in their role. I work with the other supervisors to makesure that everyone feels supported throughout the day.”
Working in an ice cream shop does have its perks.
“We do get to take home a scoop of ice cream with us after every shift,” Lake said. “We’re also encouraged to try everything so we can help customers better, which means a lot of taste tests of fudge, chocolates and caramels. I get to make our homemade caramel, which we use to dip apples, Oreos, pretzels, marshmallows and Rice Krispies treats.”
Teens should consider their interests when searching for employment. Animal lovers can start out volunteering through the Heritage Humane Society. Lifeguarding at one of the local pools or at Water Country USA may be an option for those who enjoy being on the water, while entertainers or thrill seekers may enjoy a job at Busch Gardens.
Josh Piatak, 17, is a lifeguard at Kingsmill Resort. He’s been lifeguarding there for the past four summers.
“I enjoy being outside most of theday rather than being cooped upbehind a cash register,” Piatak said. “It’s cool too, since you are theimmediate authority on the grounds, people must respect your word.”
Meanwhile, 17-year-old DalyHoffman, who has a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo, has found a job as an instructor at World Champion Taekwondo.
“What I really like about my job is that I can teach martial arts, and that our studio is less than five minutes away from where I live,” he said. “There’s a feeling of satisfactionthat I get when I teach my students impressive kicks and strikes, and they can replicate it almost perfectly over time. Also, our studio is like one big family.”
Teens who aren’t sure what type of job they want should still keep an open mind when looking for work.
“You never know, you may find something wonderful by accident,” said Thorin Jean,17, who works stocking shelves and waiting on customers behind the counter at Wythe Candy & Gourmet Shop in Merchants Square. “No matter what you end up doing it is an experience that can help you for the rest of your life.”
It is also important to remember that teens may stumble along the way, but that is okay.
“I would tell other teens to find a place where they feel comfortable,” said Lake. “They may not have all the strengths that make them the best employee when they first apply for a job, but if they get a job in a supportive work environment, they will be able to grow not only as an employee, but also as a person.”