The Road to College: Seeking summer work can be full-time job

By: AGNES DIGGS - Staff Writer | Saturday, May 14, 2005 9:19 PM PDT ∞

What do closed-toe shoes, a belt, a pen and a tucked in shirt have in common? "They tell an employer, 'This is important, you are important, a potential job with your company is important,'" said Desiree Romero, manager of the School-to-Career Intermediary System, which links businesses with students to create work-based learning experiences. "And this is what we try to stress to young people."

Think of this as packaging yourself for success, she said, because you're really marketing yourself and your skills. It's something to keep in mind when the road to higher learning takes a turn through the job market.

The School-to-Career Intermediary System is a cooperative effort among organizations including the San Diego Workforce Partnership, San Diego County Office of Education, local school districts, regional community college districts, regional chambers of commerce, business leaders and other community-based organizations. Romero's job entails organizing job and career fairs and coaching young people on how to succeed in the workplace.

Many options are available for students looking to make the best use of their summer vacations. For most, employment, paid or otherwise, will be high on the to-do list.

An apprenticeship is one avenue open to graduating seniors. More than 800 occupations offer them, and they present an opportunity to earn and learn simultaneously. Apprentices attend classes on theory and get on-the-job training in the techniques of their chosen trade. The Division of Apprentice Standards "administers California apprenticeship law and enforces apprenticeship standards for wages, hours, working conditions and the specific skills required for state certification as a journeyperson in an apprenticeable occupation," according to the Web site at www.cde.ca.gov/ci/ct/ap/.

Another summer alternative is an internship, an "employer-paid work-based learning experience during which a student accomplishes real work," according to the experts at Youth Connect Network. An internship helps students develop marketable skills and could tip the scales in a student's favor for future employment when the choice might be weighted toward an applicant with experience.

Whether the final choice is a job, an internship, volunteerism or a leadership role in some form of community service, the activities of summer can make a difference with colleges and employers, experts say. What students do during summer vacation often can be showcased on a resume, showing a sense of commitment and responsibility.

Romero advises job seekers to prepare for their job search, be organized, and dress for success.

"A little goes a long way," she said. "Work with what you have in your closet, put a resume together, take a career class or ask someone in your family, at your church or a neighbor with a professional job to coach and mentor you."

Appearance counts for a lot, she said. Multiple tattoos, hats, earrings, exposed navels, gum-chewing, shirttails out are a tough sell in companies that might see the fads as anti-business.

"In their (teenagers') quest for self-identity, they're trying to fit in," Romero said. "They want to have the multiple tattoos, they want to have their shirttails hanging out and the baggy pants. They want to identify with what they see on TV. But in a business setting, there are profesional dress standards and etiquette that they (businesses) have established for their employees, and it (the teen behavior) doesn't tie back to those standards."

Teens may not want to conform or change their style, she said, but they want a job. They don't always understand the connection.

"We're not trying to make young people look like a 30-year-old business professional," Romero said. "You can still be youthful and trendy and not be over the top for the business community. We say, dress like you would to go to church or to go to a dressy family event."

Practice interviews can give applicants an edge. Speaking to adults, whether it's school counselors, admissions officers or potential employers, is a process, Romero said. A good way to approach it is to find someone to role-play with and practice interviewing, ask for critiques of the presentation.

Next on the list is preparing a resume ---- a written summary of skills and experience. It should be brief, truthful, and written to show how the applicant's skills match the job sought. White or ivory paper is suggested. No home computer? Both school and public libraries have computers available, along with librarians who can recommend helpful books or offer assistance and instruction.

A prospective employer may require a job application as well as a resume. Be prepared. Always have one or more pens to write with, and always have a list with all the information that might be requested on an application, such as correct names, addresses and phone numbers of former employers and references. Fill out the application neatly and legibly. How well an applicant completes a task and follows directions is often an indicator to employers.

"Simple things, like going into a business to apply for a job without a pen or reference information; calling your family on your cell phone to ask questions; or asking to borrow a phone book mean you're not prepared, and you're not taking the job search seriously," Desiree said. "And don't think that since the interviewer didn't see you, it won't get back to him. Receptionists often give their impressions to the interviewer."

Many young people are used to talking casually to friends and family and they don't understand that informal speech isn't acceptable everywhere, Romero said. "How they speak has to change to be appropriate in the workplace."

The impression someone makes can be affected by something as seemingly harmless as wild music in the background of their voice mail, she said. And a crazy e-mail address can be a turnoff to an employer. "It could be offensive, and you just can't get past it," she said.

Once hired, all employees are ambassadors for the company they work for, Desiree said. Whether you are dealing with customers or colleagues and peers, all must be treated as clients.

Some people may look at a summer job as just a way to earn a few dollars, but they can be far more, Romero said.

"Every job can be used as a stepping stone through your career," she said.

For instance, a job in the fast-food industry can teach an employee how to work with a team, help clients, be on time for work. All are requirements for practically any kind of employment.

"Every position that young people have is very valuable and important, and you just build on those skill sets along your work journey," Romero said.

Sources for this story include these Internet sites: worksmart.ca.gov; jobstar.org; internships.com and sandiegoatwork.com/youthwork.

First steps

1. Obtain a Social Security number

2. Obtain a work permit if necessary

Top Ten Job Tips (Visit www.sandiegoatwork.com/generate/html/Youth/jobs_internships.html#job_tips_english)

1. Look for jobs with employers that hire seasonal help. Look for help wanted signs. Check job postings at school career centers and the Employment Development department. Look for opportunities in your community to provide babysitting, dog walking and run errands.

2. Identify twenty employers you want to target for your job search, including referrals from family and friends.

3. Don't apply for jobs with friends and/or family members present.

4. Dress conservatively when applying and interviewing for jobs.

5. Carry your resume and contact information with you at all times to provide to hiring employers. Identify what days and hours you can work, before applying for jobs.

6. Consider transportation, costs associated with employment including uniforms and any tools/equipment needed and determine how you will cash your paycheck.

7. Keep a log of all the calls you make and the next steps.

8. Conduct follow-up with employers a minimum of three times, after completing an application or interview.

9. Send the employer a thank you note after interviewing.

10. Keep a positive attitude. Employers are looking for motivated, enthusiastic employees that they can train.

En Espanol:

1. Busca empleo donde se ofrece trabajo de temporada, como en los cines, parques de atraccion locales, hoteles y tiendas de compra, y busca un cartel que diga "Se necesita ayuda / Help Wanted". Siempre lleva tu currÌculum vitae (resume) contigo e informacion de contacto para darselos al empleador que ofrece trabajo.

2. Revisa las listas de ofertas de trabajos en los School to Career Centers (centros que ayudan a jovenes a encontrar trabajo), en el departamento de desarrollo laboral (Economic Development Department) y en el sitio de red JobSummit.com.

3. Busca oportunidades de empleo en tu comunidad tal como cuidando ninos, sacando a pasear a perros, o ayudando a hacer las compras.

4. Identifica a veinte empleadores para los cuales te gustarÌa trabajar incluyendo referencias que te hayan dado tu familia y amigos.

5. Manten una lista de las llamadas que haces y de los proximos pasos que tienes que tomar.

6. No solicites trabajo cuando tu familia y/o tus amigos estan presentes.

7. Verifica los dÌas y los horarios en los cuales puedes trabajar. Piensa en el metodo de transporte que vas a usar, los gastos que puede implicar este empleo, tal como la compra de un uniforme, herramienta / equipaje y comprueba como vas a cobrar tu cheque de pago.

8. VÌstete con ropa seria de trabajo cuando solicitas empleo o vas a una entrevista.

9. Despues de solicitar trabajo o de tener una entrevista, llama o manda una carta electronica (e-mail) al empleador no menos de tres veces. Despues de entrevistar, mandale una carta para darse las gracias al empleador.

10. Siempre manten una actitud positiva. Los empleadores buscan a gente motivada y animada a las cuales pueden entrenar.

Tips courtesy of Desiree Romero, Workforce Partnership

Web sites and tips

www.worksmart.ca.gov ---- a wealth of information to help students prepare for a job search, including a list of questions an employer might ask interview tips, and reasons why people don't get hired. Also offers a downloadable sample application form to fill in and use for reference.

www.sandiegoatwork.com/youthwork

www.acinet.org ---- America's career Infonet

www.internweb.com

www.jobstar.org

www.coolworks.com/showme

www.careerkey.org/english/you/information_interviewing.html

www. campuscareercenter.salary.com ---- Financial planning information

www.homefair.com

www.edwise.org ---- online budgeting

http://get2work.borderlink.org/ ---- how to create a job-hunting portfolio

www.jobweb.com/Resumes_Interviews

www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH ---- to make a workplace health or safety complaint

www.dir.ca.gov/DLSE/ ---- For problems about wages or work hours

www.dfeh.ca.gov ---- to report discrimination or sexual harassment

www.afterschool.gov/tnvol.html ---- Community service and volunteer projects

www.students.gov ---- see above

With appreciation to Ed Chiosso and the San Diego County Office of Education Student Guide for their continuing cooperation.

Contact staff writer Agnes Diggs at (760) 740-3511 or adiggs@nctimes.com.

First name only. Comments including last names, contact addresses, e-mail addresses or phone numbers will be deleted. Attempts to misrepresent your identity or impersonate any person will not be approved. All comments are screened before they appear online, so please keep them brief. Comments reflect the views of those commenting and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff writers. Click here to view additional comment policies.