Summer jobs. Cue students groaning and cursing. I know just thinking about this can be a drag and can cause some serious stress. Every student wants to have the perfect summer job, the one where you can get paid to have fun with your friends and have the cool boss. Whether you are scooping ice cream for the summer, spend the summer at the local pool life guarding, or having a summer job where it might turn into a full time job, summer jobs are important.

Summer jobs are where you start to build your independence. When you are in junior high and maybe even into early high school, you rely on your parents for money. Whether you earn an allowance or just have to ask for money, it stinks to constantly relying on your parents for money. It can put a damper on your plans. With a summer job, you have your own money. No asking parents for a couple bucks or waiting for the perfect time to ask them for something. It's all there for you to take. Now the downside is that your need to watch what you spend. It can get tough, especially when you want to go somewhere with your friends but sometimes you need to put your foot down and save some money. If you don't earn a lot, I would try to save at least half your paycheck every time you get paid. It adds up.

You also meet new people. It can be scary meeting new people, especially people you have no clue about, but it's also fun. When I first started at the pool in the concessions, I knew some of the people working there but others I didn't. Also, I had no job experience whatsoever. I dealt with some rude people, but the memories working at the pool made it worth it. I became closer with my classmates and other people who went to my school. I made new friends to add and loved working there,He which is why I am working there for the third year in a row. The people working there made it all worth it. You build friendships that help you get through the hot and long days.

Summer jobs are also great for getting your feet in the water. It builds a solid base for applying for other, more permanent jobs. You have experience, people you can put on your reference list and skills you have learned while at your job. For example, working concessions has given skills like handling cash, conversing with customers, and multi-tasking. It has given me skills that can help me later in life. It is nice for employers to see something on your resume rather than nothing at all.

Summer jobs can also give you a taste of what is to come when you go into the real world, when you have to find a full time job. Even if your summer job is part time, it can still help you get your footing.

To echo the words of your parents, get a job.