Every teenager needs cash, and every student needs to feel
significant. What you do during your summer holidays can yield either of these
blessings, or even both.
There is nothing wrong with mowing lawns—try it! But here
are some other options to ponder:
Gas Station Clerk
You hate to pay gas prices. Working at a gas station will
not give you any discount, but it will let you see the other side of the
counter. People rush in, get their stuff, and rush out. Smile at them—it might
make their afternoon! Ten years later, you may remember some of your regular
patrons, or at least you will recall when gasoline cost half as much. Oh, and
the shift options can be quite flexible.
Piano Teacher
It is Graduation Day +1, and you already forgot everything
you studied for finals. But you likely still think about your favorite—or least
favorite!—teacher once in a while. You are fairly good at music (not necessarily
piano), and lots of your friends have little siblings—or perhaps your sister
babysits a bunch of kids somewhere. Hire out your time and training to some
parents who would love to see their prodigies learn the marvelous fundamentals
of music. Practice an hour a week to keep up your skills, then smile to
yourself when you ask the young novice to practice three hours a week. Be
patient and encouraging, and know that you may be inspiring a life-long love.
Ranch Hand
Or farmer. Learn the real meaning of hard work. Let it seep
into your very soul as you sweat out in the fields. Your work ethic may change
forever. Watch the experts closely—even though they probably lack a huge
savings account. Maybe they are rough around the edges. Maybe your level of
education already exceeds theirs. But they are the salt of the earth. Oh, and
speaking of which, learning to respect the land—its mercy, its judgment, and
its stunning beauty—is essential for an enviable summer experience.
Camp Staff
Last but not least, summer camps are one of the best things
America does for its youth. Learning about sports, friendship, and in many
cases, God, are what make camps thrive across this nation. Do not plan on
making much money here. But as non-commissioned officers form the backbone of
any military unit, and as mid-level managers drive a company forward, so camp
staff—usually in their 20’s but often in their late teens—create an
unforgettable experience in the life of at least one kid in every cabin…if not
all ten of them!
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(Originally published by Yahoo! Voices.)
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