5 Reasons to Find a Summer Job Lifeguarding
Waiting tables, answering phones in an office, entering data on a computer — many summer jobs just aren’t that enticing, whether because they do little to expand your skill set, cramp your schedule, or just aren’t that fun. If a typical summer involves long hours working a job that gets in the way of your life and doesn’t really suit, then why not try summer job lifeguarding?
You don’t need to be a swim team captain to be eligible. You just need to be responsible and willing to work hard — and have some fun.
If you’re a high school or college student on the fence about what to do, here are five reasons a summer job lifeguarding might be a great option for you.
1. Money to Blow (or Save).
What’s the biggest perk of a summer job? With a job comes a paycheck. It feels good to earn your own money, whether you put it toward your savings account, groceries and rent, a summer fun activity fund, or other expenses or debt. Gaining financial independence is an experience that can’t be beat — and will prepare you for the years ahead.
2. Plan for the Future.
Sure, you can learn something at just about any summer job, but there’s something special about being a lifeguard that attracts the eyes of future employers and college admissions officers. Being a lifeguard implies that you’re responsible and take pride in your work, and helps you build skills like teamwork and multitasking — all of which look good on your resume and can give you a foot in the door as you embark on a career.
3. New Friends.
From fellow lifeguards and supervisors to the people of all ages who come to the pool, you’ll meet and talk to tons of people every day. You’re bound to click with a least a few of them, and these friends will make it fun to come to work each shift. Each summer, we see groups of lifeguards from various schools introduce each other to all kinds of fun activities, people, and events. These friendships often extend well beyond August — and last for years to come.
4. The Great Outdoors.
If you can’t imagine sitting at a desk or spending your day in a windowless store, you’re in good company. Being a lifeguard means you get to work outside all day and enjoy the summer sun and breeze. Yes, sometimes it gets hot, and sometimes it rains, but that beats being stuck inside all day. On top of that, you won’t need to worry about finding time to work on your tan — that will take care of itself.
5. Flexibility.
As a high school or college student, you’re probably juggling a ton of commitments this summer. Lifeguarding is the perfect job if you need a certain amount of flexibility to fit in other things like playing sports, studying, taking part in an internship, volunteering, or spending time with your family. Many other jobs expect you to be there every day from 9 to 5. And while being a lifeguard does involve routine work schedules and shifts, it also gives you some room to balance work with the rest of your life and activities.
If you’re ready to learn more about getting a summer job lifeguarding, we’ve got you covered. American Pool’s Guard for Life makes it easy to sign up, train, and find a job in your community — so you can focus on having a great summer.