Summer isn’t summer without fun trips, concerts, beaches, shopping, eating out, and hanging out with friends. Unfortunately, most of these staple summer activities require something in exchange for the fun: money. What better way to prepare for a packed, yet costly summer, than getting a summer job?
Summer jobs do not have to be a burden or something to dread. In fact, my summer job was one of the highlights of my time off. I started swimming at the Campbell Community Center for their swim team, Wave, when I was 6. I spent hours a day at that pool for seven years until the pandemic hit, always admiring the lifeguards, thinking “when I’m old enough maybe I can work here too.” Sure enough, this summer I applied. Working at my old pool not only brings back memories, filling me with nostalgia, but has also enabled me to do what I love. Teaching swim lessons always had me excited to go to work. Getting to know the kids and seeing them improve provided a reward more valuable than the money made. I can’t wait until next summer to do it all over again!