Jobs require much more than effort; they require skills and experience. Many students tend to second-guess summer jobs before applying, but summer jobs have many upsides.
Junior Najib Abdullahi said camp counseling is set up for students to demonstrate their commitment and gain valuable insights for the future. She said students shouldn’t be afraid of working at a camp, as it’s a great way to help kids progress and develop.
“I don’t believe anyone should be scared (to get a job). Camp counseling is made to support new workers. Everyone starts somewhere and this job is meant to help you learn and grow,” Abdullahi said. “Just be yourself and show that you’re willing to learn and work hard and you’ll learn more for the future.”
According to Counselor Barbara Nelson, there are many simple job opportunities available that don’t require much experience. She advised beginners to consider working at stores, and if you are a strong swimmer, consider going for a job as a lifeguard to gain valuable experience.
“For someone just starting, I’d recommend looking into places like local stores, cafes, or even babysitting,” Nelson said. “I also think lifeguarding is a good one if you’re more outgoing and a good swimmer. There are lots of simple jobs out there that don’t need lots of experience, but they can also teach you a lot.”
According to junior Abdirouf Saed, Step Up is a great program that helps students find jobs by matching their goals and strengths. He said students should remember that engaging with the types of jobs they enjoy makes the task more rewarding.
“What an underclassman should do is first start looking for programs like Step Up in your area, as they match students with jobs based on their strengths and goals,” Saed said. “If you’re looking for one, it’s best to check with local community centers or schools. It’s also important to choose something that connects with what you enjoy, like teamwork or something.”
Nelson said students gain experience in managing and balancing their money and schedules through work, and jobs are a great way to spend time.
“Honestly, (summer jobs are) a great way to spend your time. You’re earning money, you’re learning how to manage your schedule and gaining experience that’ll help you later,” Nelson said. “Plus, it gives you a feeling of independence — you feel like you’re being more productive with your summer instead of just hanging around.”
According to Saed, Step Up provides real-world experiences for underclassmen as it’s programmed to help students develop important attributes that help them later on at a future job, and it gives them an organized experience that develops students to become experts
“A summer job is a great way for underclassmen to build skills, meet new people and learn how they should manage their responsibilities,” Saed said. “I went to the Step Up program last summer, and it was a great experience as it offers a structured experience that introduces underclassmen to professional and real-life environments.”
Nelson said the summer jobs have certain drawbacks and young individuals may miss out on the opportunity to savor their summer. Ultimately, it depends on the students’ perspective on summer jobs, whether they find it enjoyable or for financial gain.
“I believe a summer job comes with downsides as well, and the youth won’t have that opportunity of relaxing and enjoying their summer, but it I think it really depends on how the student feels, do they like the job and is it something that kinda makes up for what they had before, or is it all just for the outcome of making money,” Nelson said.
