Summer brings with it a lot of fun in the sun, but for students, it can also bring their first taste of the workforce.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in July 2024, 54.5% of those ages 16 to 24 were employed.

Those summer months see spikes, with high school and college students filling jobs.

“After the long Buffalo winters, [...] we start to really get rolling early March,” said Nick Del Carlo, the general manager and owner of Frosty’s Ice Cream.

They are ready to serve.

“The line? It will go down the sidewalk and it will ramp down the sidewalk left to right and sometimes can be 20 to 50 people deep at times,” he said.

They wouldn’t be able to deliver deliciousness without students.

“We hire at 14 years old. Normally we hire 15-year-olds, but we have taken 14-year-olds before,” he said.

It’s how he started.

“My dad actually started Frosty's on the Broadway location," Del Carlo said. "I started there when I was 15 years old.”

High school and college students make up about 90% of this seasonal business’ staff.

“I think that their energy and their scheduling is the ideal fit for this type of business," he added. "We've succeeded with it for 24 years now.”

Employees work their way up the ladder. There are opportunities for working the counter, but also opening and closing, scheduling and marketing.

It's a win-win for everyone involved.

“They can really grow a lot, like with work ethic," Del Carlo said. "And I love giving them new opportunities to grow. It keeps them excited about the job.”

Sabrina Tanevski, college and career readiness coordinator for Buffalo Public Schools, sees a lot of that excitement come through her doors.

“Ninety percent of the time they're just like, 'Hey, can I get papers? I want to go do this,'” she said.

School counselors can help with resumes, interview skills and other tips.

“This is our website,” Tanevski said, noting the jobs posted.

They also point students toward opportunities.

“There’s Leadership Buffalo, there’s youth programs, Tesla even has a program where they’re paying students $22 an hour to train for six weeks,” she pointed out.

Those are jobs that can build skills that might last a lifetime.

“It teaches them responsibility. It helps them feel accomplished. It's certainly something that looks really good on a college resume for them, especially if it's a job that they can return to year after year,” Tanevski said.

Even if the job’s kind of a dud, there's still some good that can come of it.

“It's definitely a big part of growing up," Tanevski said. "If it turns out to be something that isn't a great experience, that's still an invaluable experience that they're going to learn a lesson from.”

Del Carlo and his staff keep Frosty’s running like a well-oiled machine.

“I'm really looking for someone who is smiley, upbeat and eager to work, and then they'll fit right in," he said.

He knows it’s likely not a permanent gig, but he’s happy for all sides to make the best of the summers they do have.

"Once you're in, we're invested in you as well,” he said.