As the school year fades into summer and a break from academics quickly approaches, many students will fill at least some of their free time pursuing jobs and internships that offer more than a paycheck. 

      Often, summer work is not a new addition to a student’s life; it can be an extension of something familiar and steady. 

    “I have worked at [Land’s Sake] farm for the last five or six years so it has always been a part of my life, and I rely on it as a year-round job that I work at,” said junior Oren Waxman. “Over the summer, I take up more hours and more shifts in order to have a full time job.” 

   For many, summer jobs can offer more than just work experience, offering opportunities to connect with others and expand one’s horizons.

   “I [was a counselor-in-training] last year and I thought it was a really fun experience, so becoming a counselor was the next step,” said sophomore Izzy Wheler. “I thought it would be draining or not as fun as I imagined, but it actually was great because working with kids you get to absorb their energy and creativity.”

    Summer jobs can also be a tradition, with multiple generations or a close-knit community working side-by-side.

   “I work at the town pool and I work at Lifetime gym. This is my fifth year working at the pool,” said senior Olivia Scully Power.  “My sisters worked there and a lot of my friends currently work there.”    

   Some jobs can have a hugely positive impact on the life of the student. For many, lifeguarding can be that job that reinforces one’s values.

   “Personally, it’s a very rewarding job because you are helping people and making sure they can do fun activities safely,” said junior Searcy Kilgallen. “Professionally, I am interested in helping people, so I think there are many commonalities between the two.”

   Sometimes a job isn’t just about gaining the experience, but instead it’s about confronting real-world issues and finding one’s purpose. For Waxman, in addition to his work at Land’s Sake, he’s been able to expand his horizons with some work at a law firm. 

   “I found out about it because one of my friend’s fathers owns the firm…” said Waxman. “I love the law, yet I hate how it disproportionately affects people, and since I come from a family that benefits from the law, I feel responsible for helping people that get [harmed] by it.”

   While many people enjoy the paycheck that comes with a more traditional job, internships can offer different opportunities. Beyond strengthening a resume, they can offer a chance to make an impact while being given real responsibility with hands-on experience. 

   “In my first year [working at the US Senate], I led student tours for multiple camps, educating hundreds of  ‘future politicians’ about the role of the Senate,” senior Fred Liu said. “I organized group visits, coordinating dates and logistics to ensure seamless execution of lectures and programs. I presented modern solutions to organizational challenges and helped devise campaigns addressing current social issues during a board meeting with an Ambassador.”

    While internships are usually unpaid, those who choose this work feel they are still very valuable due to the people they meet and the impact they will make. 

   “My position was unpaid,” said Liu. “I’m just incredibly grateful that I received the opportunity to work with such a wonderfully bright and credible team.” 

   For those who prefer to benefit from a paycheck along with life experience, a summer job is generally preferred to an internship..

   “[The CIT] position is paid, which is a bonus for me on top of the fact that I love spending time with kids, “ said Wheler. “Getting paid to oversee kids – something I love to do anyway – is great.” 

   While summer jobs and internships can provide the practical experience needed for the future, they can also help to foster meaningful and long lasting relationships and help you to further develop skills.

  “I would definitely recommend a summer job because it is the type of opportunity that gives you skills that you can take with you through your adulthood,” said Wheler. “[Many jobs are] local and easily accessible to Weston High students, so you’d also get to further bonds with people you’ve known previously as you would be working closely with them.”