Factory work is widely known (and often misperceived) as boring, drudging work. However, looking past the smells, the dirty hands, and the monotonous movement, factory work is really quite rewarding, especially as a summer job for a college student or recent grad. Not so sure? Let me convince you.
1. Money
"Ain't nothin' more important than the mula." There is no other job that will pay you upwards of three to five thousand dollars for the three to four months that college students will be home for the summer. Companies love to hire college students (they're dependable, because let's face it, we're broke so we'll actually show up), so that means that there will be plenty of positions available. Just make sure you apply in a timely manner to secure a spot at one of the higher paying companies.
2. Music
Even though factory jobs are eight to ten hours of work each week day, most companies will let you listen to music or audiobooks while you work, as long as it doesn't get in the way of the work that you're doing. ITunes, Pandora, and Spotify will do every summer worker well while he or she is waiting for the day to be over. Music helps to keep the days entertaining, and you can learn a whole album by heart (maybe the musical Hamilton, for a suggestion).
3. Meeting people
By working a factory job, you meet people that you probably never would have encountered otherwise. By trying new things and working in different places, you are exposed to and become friends with many different kinds of people. Some of these people may be your new work best friends, others may not even speak your native language, and others still may make your day, no matter how odd they are.
4. Surprise visitors
Each eight to ten hour day is virtually the same; you're doing the same job, creating the same product and sitting in the same break room. Even though this sounds boring and sad, it's really not that dreary - especially when a surprise visitor comes to see you. This will definitely brighten your day and make the decision that you made to work in a factory seem sun-shiny and splendid.
5. Foodie lunches
6. Motivation
If nothing else, factory work provides motivation for college students to do well in their studies and earn their degree. Though working the factory isn't particularly a hardship, students often realize that finishing their degrees is important and will allow for them to retire earlier and with more ease.
If music, meeting new people, visitors and food don't persuade you to apply for a factory job next summer, perhaps the money and motivation will. While earning the most money that you can, college students learn at least one important thing while working in the factory: it's not a job that you particularly want to be doing for the rest of your life. Every college student should experience this and know that their time spent at school should be valued and not be taken for granted.
