As another year of college comes to an end, many of us find ourselves either frantically looking for internships, or sending in job application after job application, hoping that either option works out.
With the side encouragement of our peers and our parents, many want us to go for that internship to gain that "invaluable job experience" to "boost our resume." But is that what it's really all about?
As summer gets closer and closer with each passing day, I've made the choice to skip the internship and return to my summer job as a camp counselor. And if you have the opportunity, here's why you should too.
Gaining more life and job experience
Waking up each morning at camp, I know I'm waking up to a day filled with new challenges and experiences. From crying kids to middle of the night accidents, you're constantly on your toes, ready for whatever gets thrown at you next. You need to always be prepared for any type of situation on any given day.
In sickness and in health
Working 24 hours a day, six days a week can definitely take a toll on your body, but we never take days off. Working at camp teaches you to toughen up and get through it, because kids don't take days off while they're at camp so neither can you. So if you're sick, be ready to give 110% regardless of how you're feeling.
Make new friends
...but keep the old... As someone who has spent 10 summers at camp, I can tell you one thing for sure, you will meet some of the greatest people as you spend a summer at camp. I've made countless lifelong friends, and even some who live in other countries in the world! You'll always have somewhere to crash if you ever wind up in their neck of the woods. Camp gives you some connections you never even knew you had. The same people you work with now could be the ones getting you a job in your future.
Other unexpected perks
A few other unexpected, awesome perks of the job include wearing Crocs, the greatest footwear ever created, and not being judged for doing so (because everyone else does it, too.) You can wear grey on grey with orange socks and have dirt in your hair and not even care, because it just comes with the job. You'll find yourself living in this world where you become someone who you never knew existed and you can be whoever you want to be, seriously
Doing what matters
As a camp counselor, you do what matters the most. You could be helping a child discover themselves at some of the most important times in their lives, such as when they discover their sexuality or having troubles with their families at home. When they're with you, you step into that parent role that they are without for the weeks they're with you. You're their parent, their friend, their confidant, their shoulder to cry on, and their counselor. You're their person, they need you and you need them.
So when you're considering that flashy internship to put on your resume, consider this. All of your peers are racking up those same internships with those same high profile people, and you'll be competing against them when it comes to post grad job opportunities. But when you're going for your big interview, you can explain to your employer about all of the valuable life skills you learned during the summer you spent as a counselor. You can explain how you actively prepared for your future by learning about managing tight schedules and constantly being available. You'll be able to talk about working towards set goals and managing group projects all while motivating individuals to be the best versions of themselves. You will have a longer list of things you accomplished at camp rather than all of the coffees you got as an intern.
When it comes down to it, you'll be able to learn all of those invaluable life skills while you're having the time of your life. Working at a summer camp will make you think twice, or three times, about your major and your future. You'll be changing the lives of others all while improving your own. Camp offers some of the greatest life lessons, something those shiny internships would ever be able to.
