Mariana Kedzia leaves her house for a closing shift, which begins at 6 p.m., at The Gap. After sitting through traffic, she clocks in and contemplates her situation. Depending on which manager is closing, Mariana is either “super happy” or “super like kill me,” she says.

As a seasonal employee hired in Sep. 2012, Moorpark student Mariana Kedzia gained experience working for The Gap Factory store at the Camarillo Outlets. She was kept on as a regular part-time employee after the seasonal period ended.

She said her work during the seasonal time lead to her being kept on as an employee.

“The managers could see what I could do,” said Kedzia.

During the period between early November and early January, retail stores experience an increase in customers who are shopping for the holiday season. Companies begin hiring in October and continue hiring through November, said Joaquin Ruiz, full-time manager of Puma. The individuals stay with the company until the first or second week of Jan. Some seasonal employees are offered jobs after the seasonal period.

“If they’re good, they stay with the company,” said Ruiz.

Managers look for team oriented, enthusiastic and engaged individuals when hiring seasonal employees, said Colin Kato, General Manager of The Gap Factory Store. He advises students who plan on applying for seasonal work to be realistic with the time they are available to work.

“Students struggle with work and school,” said Kato. “As a result, one or the other is cut back.”

When students go into a store to apply for a seasonal position, they should always go solo, said Ruiz. Acquiring students should market themselves and not be too shy. Don’t go in on the weekends when managers are too busy to speak with anyone, said Ruiz.

Other than a paycheck before the holidays, there are other benefits to having a seasonal job.

“You gain experience, especially if this is a first job,” said Aeropostle Associate Manager Nico Godinez. “You can use [the experience] here or take it somewhere else.”

At the Camarillo outlets, The Gap Factory Store, Puma, The Levi’s Outlet, Aeropostale, and Wetzels Pretzels are few of the stores hiring seasonal employees. The Oaks Mall has seasonal positions available at Urban Outfitters, Stonefire Grill, Gamestop and Body Works. If you’re looking for something closer to campus, Target on New Los Angeles Avenue is also hiring seasonal employees.

Once Kedzia’s shift has begun she goes through her routine.

First she gets her cart, which she uses as a work station. She kills about ten minutes cruising around the store and then begins folding clothes. After about an hour, she gets tired and starts to slow down.

“I do it for the money,” said Kedzia.

Gap employees are given a paid 15 min. break for every four hour shift, but Kedzia takes a 20 min. break instead. She then comes back and folds some more. Once the store closes for the night, she stops and wonders around a bit. Lastly, she touches up her sections and clocks out for the night.