While many see Summer as an opportunity to relax and unwind following the long a grueling school year, many students look to stay busy by getting Summer jobs. When someone thinks of a Summer job, they will likely immediately think of being a lifeguard or swim coach, but there are many opportunities for students to gain experience for the work world.

“I work at Domino’s Pizza and Italian Deli…it’s a lot of work but I definitely enjoy working there and making a few bucks,” junior Alex Anthony said.

For many students, Summer jobs are just a chance to fill up time and have fun, but for some it is necessary to have a source of income.

“I have to pay for my own college, so I have to work jobs to make sure I won’t have to take out a lot of money in student loans,” Anthony said.

Others see Summer jobs as a chance to spend time with family and friends.

“I work as a lifeguard at Highlands pool…a lot of my friends work there and I have some family who work there too,” junior Grace Davis said.

Davis sees lifeguarding as a unique opportunity that allows her to learn new skills that she couldn’t have learned otherwise.

“I get to learn some very useful skills, like CPR, that I don’t think I would have known how to do if I wasn’t a lifeguard,” Davis said. “I also love to yell at children.”

Summer jobs can also give experience in fields someone is interesting in pursuing later in life. Junior Linus Stroik works at the National Air and Space Museum as he pursues a career in engineering later in life.

“I’ve always been very interested in air and space type stuff, I think working there gives me an opportunity to do something I care about and gain experience for a potential career later in life,” Stroik said.

Some students also use Summer jobs to spend time doing something they are passionate about and enjoy. Junior Tommy Schilder works at Hidden Creek Country Club in Reston.

“Golf has been a huge part of my life for over a decade now, so getting a chance to be around the sport and get paid for it is amazing,” Schilder said. “I have the chance to interact with others who love golf just like me.”

While many people get Summer jobs for different reasons, they can all agree that they offer a good experience and a good time.

“I’m just having fun with it, it’s not very often that you get a job that you can truly enjoy,” Davis said.