As a professional singer and actor, I have had a total of 33 jobs in 17 years. I have worked at least 3 jobs or more simultaneously in addition to performing over the years. Each week, I will discuss one of my former or current jobs. My twenty-eighth job was/is banquet server for Amerivents.
Getting the Job
When I began submitting for performance work on Backstage.com, I received a message about interviewing for Amerivents. I went to the interview and was hired on the spot. Amerivents is a hospitality staffing agency similar to Instawork or Jitjatjo. Amerivents sends you a shift and you either accept the shift or decline it. However, if you accept a shift, you must show up to work the shift.
The Experience
In order to begin working at Amerivents, I had to get my food handler’s certification. I took an online course and got the certificate. It expires June 2025, so I will need to take another food handling course soon. Overall, I enjoy working for Amerivents. The jobs are pretty simple and low maintenance.
I have worked at the One World Observatory, The Empire State Building, The Harmony Club, Arthur Ashe Stadium, the Bowery Hotel, and the Metropolitan Opera. Most of my shifts have been at the Jacob Javits Center in Hudson Yards. Working in catering is a seasonal job during the spring and fall. There are very few events after New Year’s Eve until mid-March and it is also slow in July and August until the U.S. Open.
Current Job
I have worked with Amerivents for two and a half years. I have had several job changes throughout the last few years, but Amerivents has been a perfect fit in all the chaos in my life. However, the shifts were just not as consistent this year. There was high turnover with the management team. When one of the people who sent most of the shifts left, I did not receive as many invites as I used to receive.
Also, since I worked full-time at East River most of the year, I was not available during the weekdays. Most Amerivents shifts are for corporate events and are held during the weekdays. When I was laid off in September from East River Child Development Center, I posted my availability for Amerivents and received 9 shifts in September, which was extremely helpful after losing my full-time job. Lastly, Amerivents is an amazing side hustle, just not a great full-time consistent job due to the slow periods.