Persistence Helps Teens Find Summer Jobs

It’s a large dose of persistance -- along with who you know -- that’s paying off as teens land jobs this summer.

Marena Kardatzke: New Steak 'n Shake Employee
Seventeen-year-old Marena Kardatzke applied for a job at Steak 'n Shake in Snellville last July.  She finally landed the job this summer.

“I’m a frequent customer and inquired about a job every time I was there,” she said. “The last time I was in, they asked me if I was still looking. I said yes, and they hired me!” she said with excitement.

Marena feels that her work ethic and people skills helped her secure the hostess position. The job requires “hard work, bubbliness, and a good attitude,” she said.

“I’m a people person and I’m constantly working,” she added.

Other requirements include staying calm when the job gets hectic.

“You just have to breathe and figure out what to do. Sometimes the lines are way out the door and you just have to go ok ...,” she explained, trailing off with a sigh.

Marena will work 13 hours this week, but her hours vary. Experience counts. Following in her sister Morgan’s footsteps, Marena worked as a coach/teacher at the Gwinnett Gymnastics Center for about two years prior to landing her new position.

Carter Hilliard: Success with Chick-fil-A
Sixteen-year-old Carter Hilliard considers himself fortunate to be one of five people hired recently by the Chick-fil-A on Highway 124 in Snellville.

“I’ve always heard it’s a very good place to work – they give scholarships and they have a very good reputation in the community,” he said. “I felt that I could be a good fit there and it would help me to build the skills I need for my career later in life.”

With aspirations to be a teacher, Carter explained that “the good customer service skills they teach will help me with my students."

How did Carter get his first official job, aside from mowing grass for his neighbor last summer?

“I went in there and I talked to one of the managers and he told me that it was really hard to get a job there," he said.

The manager told Carter he would have to go through a series of interviews.  “He told me that he thought I had what it takes.  He called me back again and I had another interview with someone else.”

Later, that same manager called Carter in for a group interview with four other teenagers.

According to Carter, Chick-fil-A owner and operator Tom Balsamides tried to talk the group out of working for Chick-fil-A.   The group would not be swayed. 

"After he was done, he said, 'You guys have the job – all five of you!'” Carter said.

What does it take to work at Chick-fil-A? According to Carter, he learned that Chick-fil-A employees “are very outgoing and courteous. They only hire people who are welcoming and will bring customers back in.”

He’ll work about 20-25 hours a week this summer. “I want to pay for my own gas and car insurance, and have enough money so I don’t have to ask my parents for more,” he said.

Caitlin Coker: Landing the Internship at GPB
Caitlin Coker, 19, who graduated from Shiloh High School last year, is interning with Don Smith, a family friend, this summer at Georgia Public Broadcasting.  A University of Georgia student, she chose to forgo income for experience with an industry professional.

"I justify not being paid because he is so well known and respected in the broadcasting industry,” Caitlin said.

With a career goal of becoming a film editor, Caitlin works about 25 hours a week selecting and procuring music and sound effects for use in “Today in Georgia History,” which airs August 1. 

Madison Huie: Junior Swim Coach
A Bright Water Breeze junior swim team coach, Madison Huie, 16, feels that her “swimming ability, patience with little kids and leadership skills” helped her land a job at her neighborhood pool.

Madison said it helped being a swim team member since kindergarten. She recalled that she inquired about a job with the swim team last year. This April, the hiring manager “remembered and asked me if I wanted to interview.”

Madison works about six hours a week with the six-and-under swimmers who can't swim alone.

“I’m there for support and to teach them how to swim,” she said. “They’re the cutest things ever. I like the kids – how happy they are,” she explained.

Hollyann Philpott: Church Nursery Worker
Hollyann Philpott, 18, a recent graduate of South Gwinnett High School, has been caring for children in the Westminster Presbyterian Church nursery since 10th grade. She works every Sunday morning and for monthly meetings in this paid position.

With plans to attend Georgia Southern University this fall, Hollyann said that her experience “has made me appreciate kids more.” In the future, she plans to become a physical therapist and work with children.

Connor Adams: Available for Employment
Brookwood High School graduate Connor Adams, who plans to major in marketing at Georgia State University this fall, is still looking for that elusive job.

“I’ve applied at seven different places. They said they were all accepting applications, but not hiring right now,” he said.

He recently got a lead from a friend about a lifeguarding position. The only catch is a $150 required class. Following the class, “they will place me in a job immediately,” he said. “I’m excited to finally find a job and hopefully make some money.”

What has he learned?

“It’s pretty depressing finding out how many places you can get rejected from. A few of my friends have jobs, but they had those jobs before summer started,” he said. “A lot of my friends are like me – searching – but they haven’t found anything yet.”