Summer is probably everyone’s favorite time of the year, especially at the very beginning, when friends start talking in the group chat about all the exciting adventures we are going to get together and do during the summer. Between the bonfires and beach days, those are the times everyone can’t wait to have with their friends from home. But as summer has already progressed about two weeks now, personally I’ve come to realize I will probably not be spending a lot of beach days with my friends or have random bonfire nights. Instead, I’ll most likely be spending my time working and although it isn’t my favorite thing, or really anyone’s for that matter, I would actually rather be working.
Having a summer job isn’t always everyone’s favorite thing. It most certainly isn’t mine, but I have come to realize there are some real benefits of having a summer job. Firstly, and the most obvious one: you are able to earn your own money. I’ve never been a fan of taking money from my parents. I like making my own money, and knowing the things I buy are with my own earned money. In addition, by the end of the summer, through saving a little bit of money from each paycheck, I have a good amount of money saved up that I can spend during the school year. My job also gives me something to do during the day when most of the time I would probably be sitting at home watching Netflix and complaining about how bored I am. And on top of that, I’m not wasting money going somewhere or doing something just so that I won’t be bored out of my mind sitting at home.
My summer job also makes me grateful for the days I do have off. Most of the time I work from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, so I am much more inclined to enjoy my weekends and spend them doing something I really want to do. I’ve come to realize that I am more grateful for all summer has to offer when I can’t have all its perks at my disposal. For example, not being able to go to the beach every day, makes me really appreciate it when I am able to go on the weekends. Its like a treat, whereas if I were able to go every day it wouldn’t be as enjoyable; it would become more like a routine.
Another common benefit of a summer job, like any other job, is the fact that it’s a resume builder. It is definitely something to throw on a resume and although it may not give me any experience in my specific field of study, it gave me some type of skill -- whether that be working with people or maybe getting CPR certified -- there is always something that can be taken away from any job.
So at the end of the day, I’ve come to realize for as much as I, and I’m sure many other people, complain about working for the summer, it certainly has a few underlying positive effects.
