This summer may be the first opportunity for many of us to secure a coveted summer job, a ticket to minimum-wage freedom. They say money can’t buy happiness, but who knows? There’s only one way to find out.
Looking for a job can be a daunting task, especially for someone who has never been employed. Here in Pasadena, however, there are loads of opportunities. Working as a teaching assistant at PolySummer, right here on campus, is the perfect summer job for any Upper School student hoping to spend more time at Poly and gain valuable experience. As a teaching assistant, you typically work with younger students and act as an extra helping hand to the teacher. For anyone hoping to land a spot at PolySummer in the future, sophomore Charlotte Newhall, who worked there last summer, noted, “My advice to someone would be to be proactive, because showing willingness to take initiative will grant you more opportunities.” Although applications for this summer have already closed, positions at PolySummer are available every summer, making it worth keeping on your radar.
If PolySummer doesn’t sound like your thing, no need to fret. Retail and food companies usually hire high school students to handle the summer rush and replace college students heading home. Some of these places include McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A and In-N-Out, which all offer jobs to teenagers 16 and above. Sophomore August Lord recently acquired a job at In-N-Out for the summer. When asked about the application process, she said, “I applied online and made sure to be flexible with my availability. My interviewer actually told me the company especially prioritizes flexibility for high school students.”
Some other jobs to be on the lookout for are lifeguarding, camp counseling, and babysitting. At a recent Upper School morning meeting, Dean of Student Activities Laurianne Williams announced that there are many Poly parents and teachers still looking for responsible high schoolers to watch their kids for them over the summer break. Junior Melanie Zhou, working as a lifeguard for the City of Alhambra Pools, shared, “I like it as a summer job because it pays decently well (especially if you are a lifeguard for Poly parents) and because it’s just nice to be around the pool during the hot summer. It’s a pretty open job as long as you go through certification, but even if you don’t work at a pool, some skills (CPR and first aid) are good to just have, and once again, Poly parents love lifeguards.” As opposed to a more formal part-time job, these opportunities can offer more flexibility schedule-wise.
The key to getting hired this summer is to put yourself out there: let potential employers know you’re driven and a great person to work with. Now, with luck, finding a summer job won’t be so out of reach anymore.
