PITTSBURG, Kan. — As restless as any high school student, you sit through class waiting for the bell to ring and when it finally does, you bolt out the door like Usain Bolt. But then you sleep in, play video games or scroll TikTok, and spend the rest of the day doing nothing, just twiddling your thumbs.
You think to yourself “I should be doing something,” and you should. According to numerous studies there are a multitude of benefits to working or continuing education through the summer.
For me, my first summer before leaving for college in Leavenworth, I spent the season mowing for the City of Girard. I had mowed for my grandparents during the summers prior, but man was I nervous stepping into the role, surrounded by adults who knew much more than I did, a scrawny and anxious 18-year-old who barely knew anything about the real world.
For the two summers after, I worked as a clubhouse worker and mower for the Crawford Hills Golf Course, or Girard Municipal Golf Course, handling duties along the fairways as well as cashier, cart cleaner, customer service, and facility maintenance. I could not complain about the job, spending the mornings and evenings out on the course in a relaxed environment, except on $5 Fridays.
But through those summer jobs, I truly gained some valuable skills that I carry into today. For one, both at the course and through public works, I was able to enhance my communication skills by talking to city employees every day, networking and gaining the confidence I needed to carry a conversation past small talk.
Of course, teamwork plays a huge factor into every day, communicating and working together to make sure city tasks were handled and handled properly.
The big one that many young kids fall victim to is time management. It’s easy to just sleep in, but when you have a job, there are consequences. See what happens when you show up late. Being punctual can go a long way, making a lasting impression that can affect future opportunities and if you think what you do as a teen doesn’t affect your future, you’re wrong.
Be ready to make mistakes as well. There were multiple instances where I had to swallow my pride and take an uncomfortable reprimand from my supervisor. But you can’t get better if you don’t make mistakes or learn from a mistake. Like Irish author and poet Oscar Wilde once said, “Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.”
No matter if its working for the city, fast food, grocery stores, babysitting, or retail, teens can gain essential life skills working during the summer. Not only can teens gain those life skills, but summer positions also boost high school graduation rates by roughly four to nine percent and decrease violent crimes arrests by approximately 30 to 40 percent according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
When looking for a job, ask yourself “Is it a good fit?” “Is it flexible?” and “Does it leave time for family fun?” If the answer is yes, go for it. If you’re having trouble looking for something to do during the summer, search online job boards, check out the newspaper, attend job fairs, network, or seek seasonal positions. All in all, if you’re struggling, just ask for help.
Get that money and enjoy the summer.
This reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/Localnews.
