Have They Got a Job for You
If you’re a local high school student looking for a job, look no further than the Rye Youth Council Employment Service, RYCES.org. The online job referral service is on track to have its most successful year ever: currently, 644 students are enrolled, and the website boasts 428 active employers with 50 part-time jobs listed.
While the service has been around for many years, recent technological upgrades and improved marketing have made a big difference — it’s now a kind of RYCES 2.0. Organizers emphasize that it is still only a referral, not a matching, service. New employers register for free on the website, then post a job description. RYCES student members with the necessary qualifications promptly receive an email. It is then up to the student to make the crucial connection and secure the job.
The benefits go well beyond having some extra money in your pocket. “Students learn invaluable life skills like independence and responsibility that will benefit them throughout their personal and professional lives,” says Allison Chader, one of seven volunteers staffing the office and running the website. “And employers get the help they need while connecting more closely with the community. It’s a simple process that has an immeasurable ripple effect.”
Once vetted and enrolled, employers and students can use the service as much as they want. The volunteers serve as advisors for both sides: by giving students tips on how to land the job, and by helping employers draft effective job descriptions and decide on appropriate wages.
The range of opportunities for employment is vast: students can apply to work as peer tutors, social media experts, yard workers, office staffers, or restaurant servers, to name a few. Right now, there is a wide variety of jobs available for the summer. Employers range from families and small businesses to local clubs and Playland. In order to post, they must either be based in Rye or have an obvious affiliation with the community.
Recognizing that it is important to put your best foot forward, RYCES also offers workshops to its young members. A recent one, “Getting Hired 101”, offered advice on how to nail a job interview — from what to wear and what questions to anticipate, to what pitfalls to avoid. Presenters included representatives from the YMCA, Rye Recreation, and Shenorock Shore Club. The sold-out event was a huge hit and will be repeated in the near future. Other future workshops will deal with topics like good financial habits and proper work manners.
For a $20 one-time registration fee, students receive unlimited access to the website and are eligible to enroll in the workshops. In addition, RYCES members are also able to attend free of charge a new program, “Career GPS”, where successful local professionals share their stories of what it took to get where they are. The next Career GPS, May 23 at Serendipity Labs, will focus on the World of Sports.
The RYCES office is located at Rye High School, across from the library. Office hours are Monday-Thursday from 11-1 during the school year. Students must be ages 14-25 to register, and live and/ or attend school in Rye.
For more information, email office@ryces.org or call 967-0015. To register, visit www.ryces.org.
