For many high school students, especially those whose parents are not able to pay for extracurricular activities and other high school experiences like going out with friends on the weekends, choosing between getting a part-time job and dedicating the time they need to school is a tough decision. For students like Monse, luckily, there’s another way: thanks to Juma, she was able to find flexible work that would allow her to prioritize school, and learn skills that would carry her forward in life as she earned her first paychecks.

Monse joined Juma as a shy high school junior, working her first shift alongside her brother, who was also a Juma youth. Right away, she appreciated the autonomy the role offered, like building her own schedule, which helped her balance school and work. With the flexibility Juma offered, as well as the support of her Enterprise Managers, Jesus and Jeremy, Monse found the space to grow her confidence and step into leadership.

For Monse, Juma was more than just a job–it was a lifeline to guidance on topics her school did not cover. Knowing that she wanted to attend college, Monse was grateful to find that Juma offered guidance via her Program Coordinator and Education Coordinator . With their support, Monse dove into opportunities to build her resume, practice interviewing, and apply for scholarships. 

On-the-job, Monse was also gaining skills that would propel her further in attending college and working towards a career. While her first few months working in the stadiums felt like a whirlwind of new experiences, over time she gained confidence. As she grew and took on greater challenges, she was even able to help Juma’s Enterprise team develop a new system to aid recently promoted youth leaders within Juma in understanding their new workflow.

“At first, I was nervous to tell someone near my age what to do,” Monse shares. “But the more I progressed, I realized that I can speak up, and that the new Juma Cart Leads can learn something from me.”

Through coaching, experience, and her own determination, Monse stepped into a leadership role as a Juma Youth Manager. Today, she mentors new Juma youth, helping them gain the same confidence she’s built in her time with Juma. Monse is currently pursuing her Associate’s degree at De Anza College while continuing to work at Juma’s enterprises at Levi’s Stadium, PayPal Park, and SAP Center. She plans to pursue a career in architecture.