After the bell rings at Coral Gables Senior High, students pour out of classrooms to juggle their busy schedules, ranging from extracurricular activities to part-time jobs. Balancing assignments and shifts, for many Gables students, their afternoons and weekends are spent behind the counter.

Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream

Located in the heart of Coconut Grove, the Chill-N nitrogen ice cream shop has grown into a second home for countless Cavaliers. Known for its unique style of ice cream, Chill-N has attracted crowds of Gables students for its variety of sweet treats. By maintaining a steady stream of students, several publications, clubs and sports teams host their fundraisers at the ice cream parlor as the after-school buzz creates a warm sense of community.

Stopping by Chill-N means more than grabbing a scoop, as Cavaliers often support employees like seniors Samantha Gonzalez and Cooper Piedra. To them, the nitrogen shop extends beyond a workplace as they balance school work, extracurriculars and after-school shifts.

Fulfilling her childhood dream of working at an ice cream shop, Gonzalez believes having a job is the best way to prepare for the future. Although she was offered her position in her sophomore year, she waited until she felt ready to take on the responsibilities of the role. Even after long hours of serving ice cream on her free days, Gonzalez treasures the lessons learned and the chance to connect with customers.

“The hardest part of having this job is one hundred percent managing time. Not only do I have to balance my rigorous International Baccaleaurate work on top of my job, I also have to balance cross country, being yearbook Assistant Editor In Chief, National Honor Society Co-President, Girl Scouts and a social life. It’s exhausting, but having a job has ultimately taught me how to balance my time, which I know is a lesson I will need for the rest of my life,” senior Gonzalez said.

Entering the workplace during his freshman year, Piedra juggles his work schedule with cross-country practice. By tackling his shifts at Chill-N on Fridays through Sundays, Piedra gives up his weekends to grow and learn as an employee, navigating these challenges with discipline.

“Some advice I’d give to another student is to make sure you know whether you value money or flexibility more. A lot of people want to work, but then they’ll get scheduled the busiest shifts on a Friday and Saturday and end up quitting because they don’t want to work. But if you really want the money and don’t mind the many hours you might have to put in, I would definitely recommend getting a good-paying job,” senior Piedra said.

Learning to have patience with rushes of customers in the bustling city of Miami, these two are mastering the skill of time management, one customer at a time.

POC American Fusion Buffet & Sushi

Situated in the center of Coral Gables, the POC buffet reimagines the conventional dining experience, drawing Gables students with its vibrant spread of over 150 Asian and American dishes. From fresh sushi, sashimi, seafood and sizzling steaks, its accessible location makes it a go-to spot for Cavaliers to share a meal and catch up. For seniors Milegny Salas, Lucia Astorga and Daniel Wu, the restaurant holds a special place in their hearts.

Joining the POC team the summer between her sophomore and junior year, Salas spends her Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons taking orders and serving customers as a hostess. At first, she started working to have a side hustle, but Salas has learned to manage her responsibilities on the boards of clubs like the Spanish Honor Society and Quill & Scroll while clocking in all her hours.

“I have been working at POC for a year and a half and now I know everyone pretty well. Even though I am the youngest one working there I have really good communication with all the workers and I’ve really learned that skill from this job,” senior Salas said.

Balancing her duties as Editor-in-Chief of Catharsis with her shifts at POC, Astorga has learned to navigate a schedule packed with responsibilities. Since joining the restaurant staff, she has gained more than just work experience, the job has introduced her to a tight-knit team and allowed her to build professional relationships that prepare her for future positions. Between mastering time management and strengthening her resume, Astorga believes her position has opened doors, even helping her secure strong college recommendations.

“It’s so funny when I go to work sometimes, and a student from Gables comes to eat dinner with their friends, and they recognize me from school, even though I don’t really know them. It really shows how connected Gables is to the restaurant,” senior Salas said.

Beyond its student workers, POC holds deeper ties to Gables through Wu, whose father, Steven Wu, is one of the restaurants’ owners. With its inviting atmosphere and familiar faces that appeal to the Gables community, POC has grown into a comfortable after-school spot for Cavaliers to unwind, dine and enjoy a place that has fostered a sense of familiarity.

By allowing Gables students the opportunity to pursue part-time jobs, restaurants like Chill-N and POC teach Cavaliers valuable lessons they can apply in the future about the commitment to maintaining a work-life balance.