Making Your Summer Job Work for You

MJ Dougherty, LSW-C

School is out for the summer.  At long last, you’re looking nine weeks of freedom in the face, and the possibilities for fun and relaxation seem endless.

Of course, less than twenty-four hours after the last tolling of the school bells, one or both of your parents have broached the subject that seems to be near and dear to their hearts – a summer job for you.  Their reasoning may be twofold.  They may want you to be able to earn your own spending money or college tuition, or they may just want to be certain that you are doing something more constructive than simply beating your high scores on your favorite video game.

While you probably have some different ideas about how you can best spend your time, it’s important to note that summer jobs can do more for you than just supply you with mall money.  Finding the right summer job can help you identify potential career goals, prepare you for a secondary education, and offer you bona fide skills that will make you more marketable to a prospective employer when you seek full-time employment.

Before you begin to look for a job, think about where your interests lie, and the fields you may wish to enter after you graduate.  Try to look for a job that might give you some experience that will help you determine if the field is really one that holds your interest.  Keep in mind that if your career goal is to be a neurosurgeon, you probably will not find a job that will teach you how to perform brain surgery.  However, you may be able to look for a job or a volunteer position in a hospital, where you can be in contact with medical personnel and patients.

Are you interested in teaching?  Many schools have extended-year programs for kids with special needs, and would welcome a teaching assistant.  Consider working in a daycare center, where the numbers of children increase dramatically during vacation months.  Camps usually need counselors, or people to work in specific areas, such as sporting activities or arts and crafts.

Try working for a hotel, catering service, or restaurant if you think you might be interested in the hospitality field.  Be aware that the hours in these areas might not be traditional.  Be ready to work evenings and weekends.

If you love the outdoors, and want to make a career out of it, look for a post at a state park or an outdoor recreation company.  Apply for positions at stores that specialize in outdoor equipment sales, to increase your knowledge base.

Be sure to look at the opportunities that arise out of temporary positions.  Clerical positions may not be what you have in mind for the rest of your life, but a clerical job at the right office might expose you to an area of interest, such as accounting, insurance, human resources or the law.

Whatever choice you make when considering your summer job, keep in mind that you could be making connections that will help you greatly when it is time for you to look for full time work. Don’t forget to ask for letters of reference from employers before you leave, and keep samples of the work you have done for your portfolio (see page  X).

Let your summer experience be one that gives you more than just spending money.  It might be more fun to hang out at the beach with friends, but finding the right job will be infinitely more rewarding than continuing to wonder what you’re going to do with the rest of your life.  You never know, it may even impress your mom and dad.  Now wouldn’t that be nice!