On March 27, Rock Ridge hosted the annual part time and summer job fair. The gym was packed with high school students from every grade and different schools. 

People came for opportunities to improve their skills, get good contacts, and/or make money. The available jobs ranged from helping the army, to being a swim instructor for young children.

Like many other students, sophomore Zahra Amusa had a goal in mind while she was looking for a job. “I’m looking for something fun and interactive to get money and buy stuff,” Amusa said. 

Amusa found interest in working at a beauty salon called Sweet and Sassy. “It seems fun because they have this training program where they teach you how to do basic stuff like hair, makeup, and nails, working with kids, and keeping a positive attitude,” Amusa said. 

As kids wrap up the school year in June, they may want a job that feels low stress. Sophomore Siham Sabriyes’ main goal was to find an “easy” and “flexible” job. “I have things I have to do over the summer, but I also really need a job over the summer,” Sabriye said. Sabriye also has a few jobs in mind that she would like to choose from. “I would like to work at a resort, because it seems like an easy and chill job, or at Brusters, since I like ice cream,” Sabriye said.

Independence High School freshman Jivraj Narula speaks to the representatives from Creative Dance Center about summer job opportunities. The dance center is looking for dance teachers and assistant teachers with experience with children, to help kids learn new types of dances and Arts and Crafts classes during their Summer Camp Program. Each week will have a different theme, with dance moves following the theme. For example, the first week will be Disney movies, with lead teachers needed in the morning from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., while assistant teachers are needed from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and in the afternoon just lead teachers are needed from 1:30 p.m.-6 p.m.

Photo by: Aline Gonzalez

Juniors Danny Nguyen and Adrian Mata explore opportunities for a summer job. Coming to the job fair allowed Mata to expand his horizon of potential jobs and get some spending money. “I’m really looking to get experience and build my resume,” Mata said “And tailor things that I’m doing this summer and throughout senior year into what I want to pursue in college.” The job fair gave both Mata and Nguyen the chance to explore possible careers and meet supervisors and employers for companies that are in their range of interests.

Photo by: Rachel Adams

Risa Sanders, president and owner of Oasis Concessions, presents information about job opportunities to families. Sanders wanted to find young enthusiastic people who have initiative and good time management skills to fill the roles such as cashier, Dippin’ Dots server, or cook. “People come into this position and they find that they’re developing skills, becoming better multitaskers, becoming more organized, and learning about business,” Sanders said. “They start to see how those skills really translate into a professional work environment.”

Photo by: Shaila Patel

Sophomore Elizabeth Bodman returns to the job fair to help other students find jobs. Bodman got her job as a cashier at Meadows Farm at the job fair in the previous school year, and she helps sell mulch, trees, and soils, and sometimes gets the opportunity to work outside and be physical. “I really do like the outdoors, and I decided to apply [because] I came to the career fair last year and this really caught my eye,” Bodman said. 

Photo by: Shaila Patel

Sergeant First Class John Santos, U.S. Army reserve recruiter for the Loudoun County U.S. Army recruiting station, speaks to the benefits of working for the army. The army offered over 150 entry level jobs including medical, cybersecurity, law enforcement, and aviation. “We’re looking for open minded people, [who are] patriotic and open to options,” Santos said.

Photo by: Shaila Patel

Beckstrom Electric Senior Project Manager and Apprenticeship Director Tom Foreman explains the full time positions available. Foreman offered graduating seniors full time apprenticeship jobs at Beckstrom Electric. “I’m looking for anyone who’s ready to get into the trade, start an apprenticeship, and end their career doing this,” Foreman said. 

Photo by: Shaila Patel

Rebecca Yanchus, swim instructor and community manager for Let’s Swim Incorporated, outlines the structure of being a swim instructor for multiple years. The company hoped to attract anybody who likes kids, as children are the primary target audience for the swim school. “I’ve been teaching for six years now, and you get to see these kids go from being scared to go underwater to swimming laps across the pool, so it’s super rewarding,” Yanchus said. 

Photo by: Shaila Patel

Freshman Connor Bultema stumbles upon the Bruster’s table during the job fair. Brusters is an ice cream shop that recently expanded along the East coast. It originated in Pennsylvania and is a hot spot for families on hot summer days. “I came with an open mind, mostly looking for money and opportunity,” Bultema said. 

Photo by: Rachel Adams