The summer of 2021 has offered more opportunity for teen workers, especially as employment shortages in areas such as the retail and hospitality sectors continue to affect local businesses.
In June, 16-year-old Nick Zoto put in just one summer employment application with SplashDown Water Park in Fishkill and he was hired.
“I wanted to be like my friends and have a summer job, but I also wanted to get my foot in the job world,” said the soon-to-be John Jay High School 11th grader.
“I work in the parking lot as a greeter telling people where to park or I count cars to keep track of how many are in the parking lot,” said Zoto, who works from one to four days per week. “I like that I get to talk to people during the day, especially after the Covid pandemic.”