For most high school and college students, summer doesn't mean the same thing that it did when we were in elementary school. Summer used to be filled with late nights, sleepovers and not having to wake up until at least mid-afternoon if we didn't want to. It was endless ice cream, pool parties and days at the beach. Nowadays, our Mondays through Fridays (and, if your luck particularly sucks, sometimes Saturdays and Sundays) are occupied with work.
Most people see this as a bad thing, but I happen to think that there are plenty of perks to having a summer job. On top of the paycheck (of course), there are plenty of reasons that a summer job can be a beneficial thing for you. Here's my take on it.
1. A routine is good for you. Sleeping in until 2 p.m. every day of the week sounds like a good idea, until you shirk all of your responsibilities and grow a to-do list that's at least a mile long. Personally, having a set routine to wake up and go to work makes me more productive.
2. It can keep you outside and moving. I'm a swim instructor, which means that I have to work outside. I have friends that work in retail and indoor locations, and all they do is complain about being stuck inside all day. I'm lucky enough to get to spend five days a week in the pool and out in the sun! (although the tan line I get from my work bathing suit is God-awfully hideous -- I won't even try to sugarcoat that one)
3. Payday is always the best day of the week. Does this one even need an explanation?
4. If you pick up a lot of hours over the summer, your school year will be that much easier. Instead of having to juggle my classes with work shifts in the fall, I pick up as many hours as I can at my summer job, so I can save up enough money to last me through the school year. It's beneficial because not only do I get to relax during the school year and not stress myself out by juggling work and school, I also get to put more time and effort into getting good grades.
5. You learn responsibility. No matter what job you have, responsibility is always important. You get to work on your time-management skills and acting professional with customers (and in my case, angry parents).
6. If you choose a job you enjoy, it can make your summer even more enjoyable. I'm a huge fan of little kids -- I adore every second that I get to spend with them. So I can't think of anything better than getting paid to teach and play with children in a pool all day. You know how the saying goes -- "If you love what you do, you'll never have to work a day in your life."
7. You make some awesome friends. Sometimes you meet some nice people that are cool to talk to at work, and sometimes you get really close with other employees and even hang out with them when it's the off-season. I've gone out with my work friends plenty of times, from lunch dates, to concerts, to movies. Having to spend so much time around the same group of people can always work in your favor -- you can never have too many friends, and your summer job is another great place to find some.
So yeah, having to wake up earlier than you wake up for school definitely isn't a plus of the job, but a summer job can be something fun that gives you a routine, teaches responsibility and even lands you some awesome friends. Personally, working as a swim instructor is my favorite part of the summer, because I'm getting paid to be out in the sun doing something I really enjoy. Even though this summer is coming to a close, most seasonal jobs start looking for employees around late May, early June -- so get out there and go search for one next season!
