The following is a guest post from Martin of Studenomics, where he helps you conquer your fears as you master your finances and try to get through your 20s without missing a party.
What You Can Learn From My Best Summer Job | brokeGIRLrich
The other day my youngest brother was telling me how he had a full-time job lined up for the summer. He is finishing high school and looking to make money in the summer before he begins the next stage of his life.
This got me thinking about my summer jobs and how I’ve made money during the summer months in the past. I’ve had a summer job for the last 13 years. I’ve been working since I was a kid. I started delivering papers and progressed to lawn care eventually.
This leads to the obvious question…
What’s the best summer job that I had?
I have to go with soccer referee. I have fond memories of spending my summers around soccer. I spent about a decade playing soccer and then a few years being on the other side, being the most hated man on the field, the referee (yes, referees, are vilified in soccer to the maximum).
What made this job so special to me?
I learned that you really have to handle the heat. This was my first glimpse into being vilified and criticized (now as a pro wrestler, I’m used to it). It was difficult at times as a 15 year old to accept the fact that adults were verbally accosting you and tearing you down. Soccer parents can be very mean. They forget that you’re just a kid trying to do your best out there.
Dealing with pressure and constant opposition really helped me when I got to college and had to present in practically every single class. My public speaking skills were sharpened when I had to yell at punk kids that wanted to pick a fight when they were clearly in the wrong.
I also got in shape. This job forced me to be in shape because you can’t exactly slack off as a referee. You had to run around and be on top of things. You didn’t want to become the fat referee.
The final benefit of this job was that I was paid pretty well. I could make $45 on an evening. That’s not a fortune, but it’s a decent chunk of change for a kid watching a soccer game. There were times that I felt bad for even getting paid because I would get so into the games. I felt like a spectator.
This leads to a question that I’ve been presented with many times…
Should you work in the summer as a student?
Yes, 100%.
It’s important to work in the summer because this will allow you to save money, get a sample of the real world, and get better at managing your time.
I have lots of parents (I’m getting older) and students asking me about the idea of working in college. Some are for it. Some are totally against it. I’m 100% for it.
Why should you work in the summer as a student?
- Money. You need to get into the habit of making money and saving money, even when you have a tiny income. You’ll get to budget your money. You’ll also understand the value of a dollar. Working for your money really changes your perspective on it.
- You build up your social skills. Sitting at home and playing video games isn’t all that good for your social skills. You have got to get out there, meet people, and get into the habit of interacting with strangers.
- You get better at time management. Time management is something that all young people suck at. Working forces you to manage your time because you have to get to work, spend your time at work, and then live your life outside of work.
What’s the key takeaway here?
I want you to try finding a fun job for your spare time. It doesn’t matter if you’re in school or already working full-time. It never hurts to have an extra income. You might be able to land a part-time gig or maybe you could freelance on the side. The choice is yours. I want to see you find a summer gig. Then I want you to share the results here with us.
“It’s easy to find a way to spend your entire day doing busywork. Trivial work doesn’t require learning. The challenge is to replace those tasks with rule-breaking activities instead.” — Seth Godin
Students definitely need to work over the summer! Sleeping in everyday is a total waste of a life. 😉
Will recently posted…How to Avoid a Financial Hangover
Although once in a while sleeping in is wonderful.
Well said. I used to look forward to Saturdays because those were the only days I could sleep in.
Martin recently posted…How You Can Eliminate The Frustration Caused by The Movies (Dream Catchers Series End!)
My best summer job was definitely working at a camp during college. It doesn’t pay very well, but room and board is provided and the experience is priceless.
Daniel recently posted…Is the 4-Hour Workweek Relevant?
My best summer job was working as a sound and lighting tech in a theater right on the Boardwalk. Oh my goodness do I ever miss Boardwalk food for lunch and dinner. Sigh. And, um, you know, the excellent learning experience in the field I intended to go into.
I’m jealous. I always wished that I did the summer camp thing. Never attended one or worked at one. I’ve heard nothing but positive reviews. I’m sure some stories will never be shared!
Martin recently posted…How You Can Eliminate The Frustration Caused by The Movies (Dream Catchers Series End!)
I’ve had some great summer jobs and some not so great ones. Some of my favorites included little league coach/baseball field maintenance guy and concrete construction. Although the concrete construction was really hard work, I enjoyed the guys I worked with and got to see the fruits of my labor when we were finished with a project. On the other hand, putting blinders on pheasants at a pheasant farm was not my favorite thing to do…but I did make some money doing it!
Greg | Travel Blue Book recently posted…Five on Black – An Amazing Brazilian Restaurant
Blinders on pheasants?!? I didn’t even know that was a thing… and I can imagine why it might not be the most fun.
Coaching is a ton of fun. I hope there’s no hard feelings since I’m the guy you probably hated!
Martin recently posted…How You Can Eliminate The Frustration Caused by The Movies (Dream Catchers Series End!)
I worked all through high school and college. I learned more at those jobs than I have learned in my “professional” jobs. Working during those years exposed me to a diverse group of people that I otherwise wouldn’t have had any contact with. I don’t have that luxury now because most of the people I work with are just like me. It’s boring.
The Bee recently posted…HSA! HSA! HSA!
Excellent point on diversity. In a non-specialized job, you meet all sorts of interesting characters. Boring sucks.
Martin recently posted…How You Can Eliminate The Frustration Caused by The Movies (Dream Catchers Series End!)
As we have been watching World Cup, I tell my hubby that the referee is probably the one in the best shape on the field because he runs the most and has to keep up with everyone. It’s a great job to have! My summer job was working in a bagel store from 6am to 2pm. It not only made me a morning person, but it also made me a coffee person as well. 🙂 It was tough staying out with friends only to wake up at 5:30 am to get to work.
Shannon @ Financially Blonde recently posted…You Can’t Win Them All
Those are the nights that we will never forget Shannon. Staying up late, knowing that it’s going to be an early one. The refs have to run around like mad and put up with all of the crap.
Martin recently posted…How You Can Eliminate The Frustration Caused by The Movies (Dream Catchers Series End!)
I have heard several other people I know mention refereeing. Unfortunately I’m not much of a sports person; baseball is the best I know, and I doubt they would want a female referee, hah. I got my first job at a toy store in high school, and I worked there until it shut down the first year of college. I think it’s important for students to work; it was nice to make money when I didn’t have many bills to worry about!
E.M. recently posted…Do You Learn Lessons the Hard Way?
Making money when you’re young is key. It’s fun to have your own spending money for whatever you want.
Martin recently posted…How You Can Eliminate The Frustration Caused by The Movies (Dream Catchers Series End!)
Sounds like a great summer job. I would love to be able to work outside instead of having to sit in an office all day! Also, that’s great that you were able to get exercise while working. This would be an awesome summer job for students.
Liz recently posted…I’m Taking Friday Off! What Should I do?
I highly recommend it Liz!
Martin recently posted…The Other Side of Money : Forget Everything Your Parents Told You
I have nephew who is a soccer referee. They make some serious cash per games these days. Definitely a nice side benefit about staying in shape too,
Brian@ Debt Discipline recently posted…Is Dave Ramsey past his Prime?
Someone has to be the bad guy!
Martin recently posted…The Other Side of Money : Forget Everything Your Parents Told You
First off, thanks for sharing your story. I remember as a kid, I was in sports, boxing to be exact. I was lucky enough to have a coach and family that was incredibly friendly and supportive…I credit a lot of my success in the sport to them. As far as working as a student goes, I’m with you 100% it’s definitely a great way to learn amazing life skills; not just in the working realm, but in relationships and life in general.
Joshua Rodriguez recently posted…How We Saved More Than $1,000 For Our Wedding…In A Month!
You definitely learn about relationships. You meet all sorts of people and are forced to work in a team environment. This will help you out in those college group projects.
Martin recently posted…The Other Side of Money : Forget Everything Your Parents Told You
I spent a couple summers selling books door-to-door. (Endured 118 degrees in CA!) I think beyond the money, summer jobs help young people develop the work ethic that they bring through the rest of their lives. I mean, if they learn to suck it up, go out there in the summer heat while their friends are lazing around, and learn to kill something and drag it home, they’re gonna make it in life. It’s the development of grit, and that’s just priceless.
Al | Saving the Crumbs recently posted…Medi-Share: An Affordable Health Insurance Alternative
I agree… working over the summer is such a plus for high school and college students! Financially helpful, but it builds so many skills. I learned so much as aI worked through high school and college!
Stasia recently posted…5…
Definitely – it’s a chance to branch out and work in an area you may never work in again too!
Children will interact with other children their age, as well as many adults such as coaches and other parents. They will learn numerous social obligations, such as the importance of a chain of command, being polite, being respectful, sharing, and how they are the same and different from others.