The summer season is approaching, and for many, this is a time of complete freedom from a schedule. But for those who may grow bored of this routine and those hoping to save up some money, it is in their best interest to get a job! I have interviewed several students from Scituate High School to get perspective on their summer jobs. I hope their inside scoop gives insight into where you should (or should not) pursue work opportunities.
Scooping ice cream is the first job on this list because it “feels like a summer job,” said Elizabeth Kurtz, an SHS senior working at Nona’s Homemade in Scituate Harbor. She works nights during the week and mornings or afternoons on the weekends, spending anywhere from 10 to 15 hours per week. Kurtz emphasized the importance of having fun while working anywhere, ensuring me she has a great time at Nona’s. To work there, it is vital to be outgoing and friendly so you can help customers pick their flavor!
Any job is a learning experience, and according to Kurtz, working at Nona’s made her “more responsible and better at talking to people” she does not know. Nona’s line can be out the door on some summer nights, so employees learn how to handle this type of stress with a positive attitude. Some advice Kurtz would like to give to students looking for a new job is to reach out to different places while always being your best and friendliest self. This happy attitude is the most vital part of your application, so show it off in interviews!
Starbucks is another fast-paced and customer-focused job. SHS senior Andrei Aprea works at the Cohasset store for an average of 16 hours a week, working both mornings and afternoons. Shifts range from times between 7 AM and 7:30 PM, giving staff a wide variety of shifts to choose from. Aprei said the fast-moving work environment leaves little room for boredom while providing sufficient tips for baristas (beverage crafters). The work environment itself is fun, with so many different coworkers working every shift. This job has shown Apreia how to multitask and work well with others and the public. Collaborating with coworkers who may be completing tasks just a foot away comes with the job. This sense of communication is so vital to lifelong success. Apreia stressed that the “learning curve since starting the job is a big one but brings so much opportunity once overcoming it!” He advises scouting out your company during the interview process. Ensure that your interviewer and the company are “honest, and if they are good, then go for it!”
Diving deeper into the restaurant scene, I interviewed Emmy Curtin, a senior at SHS, who is currently employed as a hostess at The Hibernian Tavern, located in Scituate Harbor. She works shifts during the afternoon and evening hours. The restaurant business is fast-paced and busy; she emphasized the importance of this pace in making her shifts feel shorter. Hostesses at this restaurant make minimum wage as well as a percentage of tips given to waiters and waitresses. While students first acquiring a job may be timid about applying because of the pace, this is the perfect kind of place to learn these skills, which could be helpful in future work environments. Curtin said she has “learned balance and communication,” both vital to her success in the position. Hostesses must know how to not only communicate with customers but also with the waiters and waitresses on the floor so they know what tables they are assigned. Other benefits also include the awesome live music that plays as background to their shift, as well as the delicious complimentary meals! Curtin recommends applying to jobs in the restaurant industry because this is where you can learn and make the most money.
For those who may not want to leave the ocean to go to work, TPG Marinas is the perfect spot for you! SHS senior Carolina Loeffel spends about 30 hours a week pumping gas for boats about to leave for a day on the water. She works both mornings and nights as they are open from 7 AM to 9 PM. Loeffel said she appreciates meeting new people, spending time on the water, and “getting a good tan!” When things are slow at work, she enjoys reading a good book and talking with friendly coworkers. She has learned a deep sense of responsibility and developed excellent communication skills, especially with adults. Knowing how to be accommodating to others and how to stay on task are some of the skills embedded in this job. Loeffel wants to “strive for more” as she continues interacting with older adults who share stories about their lives.
Loeffel also spends her weekday mornings at Holly Hill Farm as a Counselor in Training (CIT) at a children’s camp, which runs from 7 AM to 1 PM. This fast-paced job has taught Loeffel how to thrive in an outdoor educational environment. For example, when a huge rainstorm occurred last year, Loeffel had to find games to play with the kids in the barn. It is important to stay calm when things go wrong so your campers can stay calm, too. The camp environment is dynamic, and camp counselors learn how to adjust their plans accordingly. This job requires a creative and fun individual who knows how to communicate with younger kids and their parents. You have to be able to mediate a wide range of emotions. When applying for any job, Loeffel recommends that students apply for everything and that they “should not be afraid to quit because you have your whole life ahead of you.” She added, “Do something you enjoy now.”
With many local options available, finding a summer job should be stress-free and fun. As all of these seniors have emphasized, work somewhere you love, and you’re sure to acquire new skills along the way. In particular, working with the public will become second nature. It is okay to try things out and not love them, and it is okay to move on to a new job if this happens. Just make sure you show up on time as the best version of yourself. If you are polite and demonstrate a positive attitude, you can have fun and earn money for your future. Good luck with your summer job hunting!