Finding Summer Job
Opinion

Finding the Perfect Summer Job

Summer. Summer is something that, as a kid, you knew was coming. As soon as Memorial Day Weekend ended, the countdown begun.

Each and every student has their own path of what their summer will entail. Some students study abroad, take summer classes, work, travel, or spend time with their families in their family beach house or spend time with their family minus the beach house. But for most college students, they work. The common answer for college student employment is serving, hostessing or bussing in a restaurant, working on the boardwalk serving ice cream or ripping off tickets to get on your favorite ride, using your hands as the extra pair for a landscaping and lawn businesses, working on the beach checking tags, and the list smothers on and on.

So, what is the best summer job? If you live in central jersey (and yes, this does exist) then you’re familiar with beach clubs. If you live in Monmouth Beach, Sea Bright, Oceanport, Rumson, Deal, Ocean, Asbury, Neptune, Long Branch, West Long Branch, Little Silver, Shrewsbury, Tinton Falls, or Middletown then you’re very educated on what a beach club is, even if you aren’t part of one. Beach clubs are great places to spend your summer, they have a pool, beach access, a snack bar and sometimes an adult bar along with a playground for the little ones to keep occupied. A beach club is the best summer job to have. You meet people from all over, so it’s great for networking. It’s also great because you’re working on the ocean and you’re getting paid for it! There truly is nothing better.

Another great summer job would be working in a restaurant near the ocean, river, or boardwalk. Restaurants that are near the water always get great summer business because they are placed near the best breathtaking views. So, restaurants on the water are bound to be busy, the food is a little bit pricier, so the tips are usually good – but not promised, just a suggestion.

Even if you don’t choose to work at a beach club, stay in the similar boat and choose the public beach. Selling tickets to the public for a fun day at the beach or being a lifeguard for the ocean they’re swimming in definitely beats working in a hot kitchen or restaurant. Working at the beach or a beach club is a wonderful experience that you should tackle at some point in your life, even if it’s only for a day. Beach clubs become great because they’re seasonal. They open Memorial Day Weekend and are open right up until Labor Day, so if you don’t take summer classes and your school starts after Labor Day (like Monmouth), then a beach club might be the perfect place for you.

Regardless of what you choose to do this summer, make sure it’s something you’re going to enjoy. Summer is a time to let loose, enjoy the weather and just have fun. Whichever job you choose, make sure they know when your semester is over, when you start school again, any family vacations that you’re taking, or that quick weekend trip with your friends – it’s important the employer knows it all to avoid any scheduling conflicts.

Happy Summer to everyone. Good luck with the perfect summer job hunt to your beach club or public beach job. Remember to have fun, enjoy the weather, and get a good tan. And if you don’t tan well, SPF 50+ is my recommendation. Make your 2019 Summer memorable as it does go quick!

PHOTO TAKEN by Caroline Mattise