Many high school students look forward to summer as a time to relax, hang out with friends, and recharge before the school year. But for some, summer presents the perfect opportunity to gain financial independence and valuable work experience. One such student is Noa Wildeboer (10), a lifeguard at the Country Club of Lansing, who, like many others, balances summer jobs with sports, social life and the challenges of being a teenager. This Q&A explores why students like Wildeboer choose to work during the summer and how they figure out the demands of their jobs without continuing them during the school year.
Noa Wildeboer (10) | Job: Lifeguard | Workplace : Country Club of Lansing
Q: What made you decide to get a summer job, and how did you choose where to work?
A: “I wanted a summer job so I could be more financially independent and make my own money. I chose to work as a lifeguard at the Country Club of Lansing because one of my friends worked there already, and they were one of the only places hiring 15-year-olds.”
Q: What was the most challenging part of balancing your job with your summer plans?
A: “It was tricky trying to balance my plans because I also did swim and water polo during the summer. Hanging out with friends was a lot too. Plus, I couldn’t drive, so someone would have to drive me to and from work every time. That was probably the most challenging part.”
Q: What skills or experiences did you gain that you think will help you in the future?
A: “I learned how to save money instead of spending it all at once, which was a really bad habit I used to have. I also got better at talking to people, which I think will help me in the future.”
Q: Why did you decide not to keep your job during the school year?
A: “I was a lifeguard, so my job ended when the summer did. The pool closed, and that was it.”
Q: Do you think you’ll work again next summer or get a part-time job during the school year?
A: “I’ll definitely work next summer. I might not work at the same place, but I’m still deciding. When I turn 16, I want to try and get a part-time job.”
Maddie Shangraw (12) | Job: Camp Counselor | Workplace: All Of Us Express Children’s Theatre
Q: What made you decide to get a summer job, and how did you choose where to work?
A: “I decided to get a summer job because I wanted to make some extra money and not rely on my parents for things. I was able to get my summer job because I had already been volunteering there.”
Q: What skills or experiences did you gain that you think will help you in the future?
A: “I was able to learn how to work with kids and learn how to deal with them when they were having big emotions. I think this will help me if I have a job that works with kids in the future.”
Q: Why did you decide not to keep your job during the school year?
A: “I can’t really keep doing it during the school year because it’s a summer camp but I want to go back next summer.”
Q: What did you enjoy most about your job, and what did you dislike?
A: I really enjoyed working with the kids and seeing how they would grow over the week and come out of their shell. The hardest part was dealing with parents who could be rude and disrespectful.
Q: Do you think you’ll work again next summer or get a part-time job during the school year?
A: “Yes, I hope to work next summer. I really enjoyed working with the kids and seeing how they would grow over the week and come out of their shell.”
Julia Horgan (12) | Job: Technical Aid | Workplace: Michigan State University Plant Soil and Microbial science building
Q: What made you decide to get a summer job, and how did you choose where to work?
A: “I chose to get a summer job because I needed money, and it gave me something to do over the summer so I’m not just sitting in my room doing nothing. I got lucky that my dad worked in the same place I worked so I had connections to the job, and got first dibs for it.”
Q: What skills or experiences did you gain that you think will help you in the future?
A: “I gained [better] communication skills. My job was pretty easy and not a lot of people came into my work because it was summer on campus.”
Q: Why did you decide not to keep your job during the school year?
A: “Because there wasn’t any work left for me to [do, and] they hired someone who can work full time. [However], I really enjoyed having time to do work and prepare for college stuff because there wasn’t a lot to do [while on the job].”
Q: Do you think you’ll work again next summer or get a part-time job during the school year?
A: “I think I will do both. If I get a job this school year I hope I can continue working over the summer before I go off to college.”
Q: Looking back, is there anything you’d do differently about your summer job experience?
A: No, I don’t think so. It was nice to have a job and make money over the summer. Even though I was sitting and doing nothing most of the time, I’m glad I got to get paid for it instead of sitting and doing nothing at home and not getting paid.
