For the past four years I've worked at one of the best places I could have ever hoped to work for. I've held many jobs over the years. I've worked in a book store, a daycare, an ice cream parlor. You name it, I've most likely have done it. But the only job I've ever been questioned about is the one I love the most. And here is why I love it so much.
Meeting my second family.
You spend so much time working closely with the same people nearly everyday, they become your second family. Really. This isn't a joke. I see these people more than I see my sister or my mom. My mom even jokes that she got a job there, too, just to see my brother and I more. The bond you share with the members of your department is nothing like you'll ever find again in a work place. The people I work with keep me sane most the time.
Meeting internationals.
Meeting the internationals is one of the best and worst parts of this job. Meeting tons of people from all over the world is amazing. I've made friends with Turkey, Spain, Poland. I've learned about their culture, their country and even tried to learn to speak their language. This is another fun part of the job. The worst: having to say goodbye to them at the end of the summer. The last few weeks of August is heartbreaking. Not only are you saying goodbye to your American friends who are just going off to college and won't be working the fall, but you're saying goodbye to your internationals whom you've grown to love and yes, you will cry as you give them that last hug on their last day.
Never having a dull moment.
I've held many jobs over the years. Daycare aid, waitress, Toys R Us team member. The list goes on but a normal day at these jobs has nothing on a typical day at an amusement park. From rides breaking down, to guest getting into fights with other guests or even employees. No two days are ever the same when you work for a park. And who likes knowing what's going to happen day in and day out?
Rainy days.
Oh, rainy days. How I hate to love you. When most people dread the rain storms, amusement park employees learn to love them. For those working in rides, it means some down time because the rides are not allowed to be running whereas for those working merch, it means swarms of people crowding into your store or location. Yes, it can be overwhelming but it soon becomes a game and who can make the most money selling poncho's and towels. But sometimes it also means it's just a slow day in general and gives everyone a much needed break to get everything back in order within the store and have it fully stocked and ready to go for the Fourth.
Free tickets.
Not only does our employee ID double as a season pass to our home park but it doubles as a pass to all other parks in our company. And free parking at our home park. But those aren't the only parks we get into for free. Every season there is a list of local parks that we are able to get into at least once a summer for free with our IDs. My favorite: Hershey Park. Other notable parks: Philly Zoo. Six Flags. And even DollyWood.
Employee events.
We work hard. Very, very hard. One thing I get asked a lot while on the clock: "How often do you get to go on rides?" My answer: "Almost never." When you work 60 to 70 hours, it's hard to find free time to enjoy the park as a guest because your time off is when the park is closed. But the employee events make up for this. My favorite: ride nights. Once or twice a month after the park is closed and the last guest as left the main gate, employees are allowed to reenter the park and a certain ride or two will be open for us to enjoy. Along with free food and games (we are not allowed to play games at the park if we work there. This is the only time we are allowed to play).
But it doesn't stop there. We have movie nights, employee picnics. Trivia night. And a huge party at the end to celebrate another season completed. We also have awesome trips put on by our amazing HR throughout the summer. Thanks for everything y'all do for us! We highly enjoy it.
These are just some of the reasons I love my summer job. There are so many more I could list. But working for an amusement park has been one of the greatest decisions of my adult life. I've never been this happy with a job. Don't believe me? Find a local park, apply and get ready for a summer filled with thrills and chills as you embark on the journey of being an amusement park employee.
