As teens get older, the pressure is on to find a job. The pressure comes from parents, friends, and themselves.  First jobs can seem intimidating to get.  Lizzie Brown, ‘15 has been working as a lifeguard since her freshman year in high school.

“It’s an easy, fun summer job. You get tan,” said Brown. “It’s not super high stress unless you actually do have to save somebody.”

Being a lifeguard has a big title, but a lot of benefits. Lifeguards start at nine dollars per hour, getting raises from there. They sign up for their own hours, making it flexible and convenient.

“During the summer I usually work after practice or before practice, just depending on when it is,” said Brown. “It’s usually just you sign up for whatever hours you want and it’s not bad.”

Although Brown says, “it’s been pretty relaxed,” there’s still the looming possibility of someone drowning. Lifeguards have to take a three day lifeguarding certification class where they are taught  CPR, first aid, and other ways to hand an emergency.

“It’s always a little nerve racking knowing that someone could drown and you could have to save them,” said Brown. “But other than that there’s not really any cons.”

While Lizzie is lifeguarding, Jenna Duke ‘16 will be serving ice cream to hungry customers.

Ice cream shops are another common site for a first job. Heyns and other ice cream places typically begin employees at $7.50, and raise salaries from there. At Heyns hours are signed up for two weeks in advanced. Other places may have a different method for making schedules.

“It’s kind of hard during the school year,” said Jenna Duke ‘16. “I have to balance school work and the job and friends.”

Jobs directly associated with helping customers also develop people skills.  Duke has worked at Heyns for one year, and has experienced this first hand.

“It’s a good experience because before I was a little more shy,” said Duke. “I didn’t know how to work with people.  You just learn a lot from random strangers that come in to get ice cream.”

Another job that helps develop people skills is working at a summer camp. Ben Smith ‘16 is working as a paid counselor after two years of volunteering at the Lincoln Shimek Summer Camp.

As a counselor, Smith will be in charge of keeping track of all the kids. He will also have his way paid to go these places. At most summer camps, counselors start at $7.25 and can get raises from there. One main benefit of being a counselor is going on the field trips the kids take.

“Definitely the places we go, they’re just fun. It’s not any different than going with friends. I just have to watch kids and make sure they don’t get lost,” Smith said. “They’re paying me to go to Adventureland and Lost Island.”

In general, jobs have several major benefits. They look good on future job applications, college applications, and give students a chance to earn money.

“I definitely think it’s worth it,” said Smith. “I’m making money and its going to be something that I can put on other applications, possibly in college.”