Summertime is just around the corner, and many students are considering a summer job to make some extra cash. According to CNN, 4.7 million teens had summer jobs in 2015, an increase from 2014.  Summer jobs are popular because they pay well without the hardship of being stressed in school.

During the nine weeks of summer vacation, many high schoolers become bored in those long, scorching days. Most tend to procrastinate on summer homework assignments until August. Wilcox student Neel Manthani said, “All my friends stay up before the first day and rush to finish all our summer work. I have a lot of free time, but never do anything with it.”

In the search for a summer job, it may be hard to find one suited for each and every individual. The most popular occupations are camp counselor, pet sitter, retail salesperson, food service worker, lifeguard, tutor, and nanny. The listed jobs all require patience, hard work, and teamwork, but also need a set of unique skills. A camp counselor must like the outdoors as well as dealing with all kinds of children. A lifeguard must be attentive and a great swimmer. Freshman Peter Farnham will be a lifeguard this summer. “I find being a lifeguard very rewarding. I like helping out people. Having a tan is a nice benefit too,” he said.  Additionally, sophomore Michelle Cruz loves helping out in a daycare center and enjoys the relationships she forms with the children.

Wilcox student Grace Chua had a unique experience during her summer job. “I experienced firsthand what it’s like to be on the other side of the register. No one cares if you’re a straight A student or star athlete, everyone sees you as an adult,” She said. Chua learned many life skills during her time in the fast food industry, and continued working for two and a half years. “Without these experiences, I wouldn’t have matured and have a different perspective on how I treat people and the true value of hard work. It wasn’t just money that I earned from this job but the inspiration I received from my coworkers,” She said. Chua then added something which is very important for any student working this summer to remember, “They told me it’s okay to wait tables, to flip chicken patties, to fry fries, and to serve rude customers, as long as you don’t forget your dreams.”

Although many teens may feel the heat of the competition from more-qualified adults looking for the same positions, this is not always the case. Do not be afraid to ask for an application, as many institutions like Honeyberry, Great America, and AMC theatres hand them out freely.  From nanny to tutor, summer jobs are a fun way to learn new things while having the chance to meet new people, and pick up a few bucks. If you do decide to work this summer, you must obtain a worker’s permit. Worker’s permits can be found in the college and career center.

Summer jobs have their pros and cons, but choosing the job right for you makes all the difference in having an enjoyable time. As Pew magazine discovered in 2015, unemployment of sixteen year olds has declined over the last two decades, so get a head start and start applying now! Before you know it, sunglasses and tans will be traded in for notebooks and tests, so make the most of your precious summertime!