Cream-colored walls and bright pink fluorescent window linings beckon passersby into Los Gatos’s Rosy Yogurt. Inside, senior Natalie Zaratgoza can sometimes be found as she greets customers with a smile, the comfortable atmosphere perfect for a first job.
She was motivated to apply for the job to make some of her own money. Zaragoza secured an interview through a connection with a friend over summer vacation. Then, at the beginning of July, she started working at the frozen yogurt and ice cream shop.
A behind-the-counter view of tubs of cold desserts.
An employee at Rosy Yogurt holds several roles. Zaragoza handles the cashier, serves ice cream and makes smoothies and açaí bowls. She also prepares food by cutting fruit, sorting yogurt and filling toppings.
The shop changes out its ice cream flavors frequently, and their frozen yogurt ones every day. All their cream products are made in Hawaii, and they offer seasonal flavors for the holidays.
Zaragoza herself recommends the cookies and cream ice cream.
Working there has taught Zaragoza multiple valuable life skills; machine and customer service issues have taught her to be better at problem solving.
“I’ve learned sales,” Zaragoza said. “Selling in customer service, I have to talk to a lot of customers.”
Because she is currently juggling school, college applications and her job, Zaragoza praises the flexibility Rosy Yogurt offers.
Once a week, she and the other employees will text their boss their availability, which she then uses to make the work schedule. Because of this, on weeks where Zaragoza is busy, there isn’t a pressure for her to take a shift.
She usually works the closing shift from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the weekends along with another employee. In her typical shift, Zaragoza begins the closing process at 9 p.m.
“We wash all the dishes, fill and close the toppings and count every single inventory,” she said.
As for tips, Rosy Yogurt employees keep their cash tips, and split up the online tips among all the cashiers. Zaragoza plans to save the money she earns for college.
Though she is hoping to continue to work throughout the school year, Zaragoza worries about other extracurricular activities, particularly track during the second semester, getting in the way. She plans to continue working weekends but not during the week.
For Zaragoza, a high point of her shift happens when her friends visit: “They come, get ice cream and watch me,” she said. “That really brightens my day.”
According to Fox Business, the trend of part-time jobs is soaring among 16-to 19-year-olds, in part due to seeking a sense of freedom post COVID-19 pandemic.
Zaragoza noted the importance of having a job, especially while being in high school.
“Working before you graduate is kind of essential, because you learn a bunch of new skills,” Zaragoza said. “I understand that some students don’t have the time for that, but if you do, I think that’s something you should look into.”
