Panthers on a Payroll

Elise Vu • June 11, 2025

Teenagers entering the workforce has been a part of American culture and society for decades and decades. In recent years, as the college application process has become more competitive, having jobs has become a way for students to pad their resume. There are a select few here at Peninsula, however, that turn their passions into work experience. These three students, using their unique skill sets and interests, are great examples of how having a job can align with personal goals and values.

In order to successfully pursue these jobs, one must be willing to put themselves out there. One such student is Kaylin Gregerson, a sophomore who was recently offered an internship with Wolfgang Puck. For those who don’t know, Wolfgang Puck is a celebrity chef who is attributed to developing modern Californian cuisine by fusing aspects of French, American and Asian cuisines. Gregerson has expressed an interest in the culinary arts since an early age and hopes to make a career out of cooking.

“Cooking is my happy place,” Gregerson said. “It provides me assurance that I can focus on one product and its outcome - searing a steak correctly, whisking a sauce just right.”

So,when she met Wolfgang Puck by chance at one of the locations of his chain restaurant, Spago, in Beverly Hills, she knew this was a once in a lifetime chance to help propel her dreams into reality. She introduced herself to him and told him about her dream of pursuing cuisine. She asked for his advice on what to do to gain experience and skill, and he told her to work in a kitchen over the summer. He gave her the contact of the executive chef of one of his restaurants, whom Gregerson subsequently contacted. Since then, Gregerson has been in contact with the executive chef and the summer looks promising for the aspiring chef.

“I was shaking and a little terrified, but I kept on telling myself, ‘You gotta do it, this is your one chance.’” Gregerson said.

Gregerson wouldn’t let her nerves get in the way, even at the prospect of talking to a celebrity chef.

”I’ve been making plans with his chef. If all goes well, I could be working in a four-star restaurant this summer.”

Obviously, here at Peninsula, students are very fixated on the practicality of work experience. Another student, sophomore Nathan Kwok, expressed the experience he had working in a programming internship at the local PVNet. Kwok began his work at PVNet as a student and volunteer and after demonstrating his work ethic and leadership skills, was accepted as an intern as a part of the PVNet program.

“My main motivation to pursue a job at PV Net was to find a position where I could apply my strengths in computer science while also increasing my experience in a leadership role,” Kwok says.

As a course instructor, Kwok had to improve his leadership and communication skills, both of which he said improved drastically over his time with PVNet.

“My time at PVNet really taught me how to effectively work under pressure and delegate tasks to other people,” Kwok said. “I can still apply the skills I learned in other fields.”

Kwok demonstrates that work is not only about experience, but skill-building as well. Using the basis of his previously honed skills, he was able to use this job to cultivate new ones as well.

Although all of these attributes are integral to finding a meaningful job, perhaps the most enigmatic of them all is passion. Students often struggle to find work outside of school in fields they are interested in, making spots like internships coveted among the student body of Peninsula. Sophomore Summer Kniffin, however, has found volunteer work that suits her love of marine life perfectly.

”I started working at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium last summer, and I really enjoyed it. I’d still do it even if it weren’t for the volunteer hours.”

The job requires its employees to be marine life experts, as it requires them to speak to and educate young kids on the different tanks in the aquarium.

“This job has taught me so much about working with people and being comfortable public speaking.”

In addition to the skills she’s learned, Kniffin said she has also gained new community from working at the aquarium. Kniffin stressed the importance of camaraderie and the value of the bond she created with the fellow employees at the aquarium.

“It was great meeting new kids who had the same interests,” Kniffin said. “I learned a lot about working with people.”

Kniffin asserts that the community she has built, bonding over marine life, is the main reason she has continued her work at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium.

Words like ‘job’ or ‘internship’ or ‘volunteer’ are often associated with college resumes now, but work experience can be much more beneficial when aligned with one’s interests. Often, seeking out these opportunities shows great initiative.