School is coming to a close and that means one thing for many high school students in Ridgewood: summer jobs. At this time of year, you can find ‘summer jobs for teens’ in many people’s recent search history on their computers. Most of the results include camp counselors, babysitters, or lifeguards. Babysitting can pay good money, yet if taking care of kids does not interest you, there are somewhat limited options. There are plenty of restaurants and stores in town, but a lot of them hire college students before high schoolers finish for the summer. A lot of students are outsourcing. During the summer, junior Danielle Poole commutes to New York City every weekday to provide temporary relief for her father’s building management company. “I work at the front desk and check people into the building,” explains Danielle, “I also work in the building management office. I worked there last summer too, and I’m excited to go back.” However, without a connection, working in New York City is not plausible for the majority of students.
Since most of Ridgewood’s businesses already have employees, a lot of high schoolers plan on applying to jobs in nearby towns. “I’ll probably work in Glen Rock or Midland Park,” says Tiffany Chung, a junior. “I feel like not limiting myself to Ridgewood will open my options.” For a majority of younger high schoolers, transportation can become an issue and obtaining a job becomes one more step harder. Yet, with a quick drive from a friend or parent, money from a summer job could be in your reach.
Many students still earn money even if they travel or leave Ridgewood for the summer. Junior Annie Probert says, “I go to Rhode Island in the summer, so I’m planning on getting a job there.” Traveling is also beneficial to the people who stay home: asking a friend or neighbor if they need a pet sitter or someone to water their plants can be an easy way to earn money.
If all else fails, or if you enjoy being around kids, babysitting for friends, family, or neighbors can be a source of income. A number of RHS students find themselves spending their summers lifeguarding at the YMCA or a local pool if they are confident swimmers. However, in order to be a lifeguard at the YMCA, you are expected to be able to tread water for two minutes, be able to swim 50-100 yards of different strokes, and be sixteen or older. Both babysitting and lifeguarding require CPR certification, which can be attained during senior year through a class here at Ridgewood High School.
A summer job is temporary, so many find the benefit in this aspect of the job simply because you do not have to be super passionate about it. Summer jobs have continuously taught teenagers how to be more independent as they gain experience for a career in the future. As a reliable source of income, summer jobs give students the ability to obtain a non-academic work-ethic, which is a good skill to have going into college. That being said, we wish you the best of luck in finding your summer job.
Grace McLaughlin
staff writer
Graphics: Amelia Chen