October 17, 2022 by Maddy Diem ’24
The New York Racing Association (NYRA) is looking for people to work at the Saratoga Springs Racetrack during its open season, which is roughly around July to early September.
Several different companies are hiring for NYRA at job fairs. The job fairs are where the companies that hire for NYRA come together and set up interview booths where interested parties can apply. These job fairs are generally held between April, May, and sometimes in June before the opening season.
The job fairs are usually advertised all around Saratoga and applicants can look for more updates on them on the company’s Instagram accounts. They also stop at local high schools to share job information for postings particularly targeted at students. High school students can be hired by Integrated Staffing, a local, women-owned business.
Kara Diem, who works at Integrated Staffing as a VP for business development says they’ve been staffing for NYRA for the past seven years and will continue to have a contract with them into the next year. Interested applicants can also apply on websites, but it is very important to follow up and Diem said they prefer applicants attend the job fairs.
When applicants attend the job fairs, they will need to come prepared. A resume will always help, although it is not mandatory. Applicants will need identification–for students, this means your school ID, a passport, or a permit/license of some sort. Applicants must know their social security number and will need working papers.
Dressing appropriately at the job fair always impresses employers. Applicants who dress well are more likely to get asked for a higher-end or possibly higher-paying job. Also, applicants should be prepared to answer some questions and go to the interview with questions. “Asking questions also shows that you have interest and that you are engaged,” said Diem. One of the most important things is following up after the fair–which can include taking business cards and contacting the company.
When applying for jobs in high school, students always looking for the most money. The track pays higher than minimum wage depending on what job applicants are looking for. High school students (ages 14-18) can work several jobs, such as White Caps which employs a total of around 200 people. This is the most popular job for teens, and they can do a few things within their job.
Students working at White Caps get tips on top of their pay and the amount differs depending on where they are placed. White Caps provide a guest service resource to visitors. There also are jobs available in hospitality which can be hosting/hostessing, working in the box office, parking attendance, and cash attendance. For most cash-related jobs–which include accepting cash while working for the entrance or being a betting clerk–you must be 18 or older.
Carter Evans and Maddy Walsh, juniors at Saratoga Spring Highschool, both worked as White Caps during the summer. Evans said he had a relatively normal, albeit slightly monotonous, experience. Evans said, “I think it was fun for the first week and then after that, it got really boring.” He started full-time in August of the season because of other activities he had going on.
Evans said his employers were very flexible about when he could work, which is something he liked. He also enjoyed the people he worked with and thought the supervisors were nice. He said his least favorite times were “the days they wouldn’t give me a seat.” Evans also noted his employers could sometimes be strict about what you look like, and have uniforms for most jobs.
NYRA has become more flexible about who they hire in the last couple of years due to understaffing. Walsh worked at the track in the summer of 2021.“When working at the track, all the jobs are pretty much boring, and you just stand there for hours doing nothing and it’s like what do you really expect kids to do–do you expect them not to go on their phones while they’re just sitting there for hours on end? You just want them to stand around doing nothing,” said Walsh.
Although there were some downfalls of working at the track for the employees, both Walsh and Evans enjoyed their pay and the tips they got, as well as the healthy number of breaks and the comical experiences with coworkers and guests!