Enjoying Summer While Earning Cash

Those who have been gazing into the sky these past couple of days may have been wondering what that big ball of heat and light is. At Lakes High School, any hint of a rain-free day is an excuse to wear summer dresses or shorts.

Do you blame me?

With less than a month to go until the final farewell for the Lancers senior class, summer has reached Washington at least a month early, or so it seems. Students, including myself, are chomping at the bit to recoup those long-lost summer days of relaxation, sunbathing, and water fights. Staring out of the window during class, I often find myself thinking of blue sky and pink cherry blossoms gracing the Lakewood area.

However, summer is not all about relaxation. I know, you think you’ve finally caught a break and suddenly your boss is telling you to get back to work. But it’s for a good cause.

One of most advantageous ways to spend a summer is getting a part-time job. Teenagers like can always use a little extra spending money, especially when you’re trying to get a head start on paying down college bills.

Find a job you’ll enjoy. With a little extra training, my passion for water and leadership skills translated into a life-guarding and swim instructor job at an outdoor country club. This will be my third summer working with a group of people I consider a second family.

Don’t waste time on TV or Facebook. Search for a job outdoors because you’ll have plenty of computer time when it starts pouring again in three months. That’s if we’re lucky.

And if you’re not 15 or 16, now’s the time to get started on building up that resume or volunteer time. Get a babysitting or CPR certification. Organize a car wash or learn something new this summer. Don’t let a 70-degree sunny day go to waste when you have a perfectly good water gun waiting for you in the backyard.