For many students, summer break is filled with fun activities such as celebrating the Fourth of July, swimming with friends, and spending time with family. But for many, it is also a time to take on a job. From lifeguarding, to being a camp counselor, or working as a receptionist, these are the job offerings for students in the North Shore.
In Glencoe, there are many job opportunities at the beach. Lifeguards are always in demand, but to become a lifeguard you must be trained in first aid and CPR. Lifeguards must also be freshman year or above, making it open to high schoolers and college students. Working as an aquatics counselor is also a very popular option, since there is an endless stream of kids wanting to learn to sail, paddle board, and much more. Being a cashier or golf cart driver for beachgoers is also an option, serving them drinks and food, or driving them up and down the shore.
Camp counselors are always in demand, too. The campers range from preschool to fifth grade. To work as a counselor, one must also be in ninth grade or above, and many of the better paying positions go to the older students. Time flexibility also ranges greatly for a counselor, since there are morning and afternoon sessions that one can pick from. There are no application deadlines, but jobs working at the beach tend to be filled fastest.
In Wilmette, the opportunities are very similar to those in Glencoe, with the exception of the Wilmette Ice Arena being open for use. Many people can work there as a coach for young kids, as a free skate instructor, or even just at the front desk checking people in. Through the Wilmette Park District, someone may also work as a summer camp coach for young kids, ranging from coaching tennis to basketball. One could also work as a lifeguard or an overseer of water activities, a busy job on and off land.
Being a camp counselor is an option, with timing ranging from morning or afternoon shifts, each depending on the age group one could work with. For preschoolers, times are much shorter in comparison to older kids above second grade. Job applications are due at the end of May.
In Winnetka, the job offerings are more summer camp centered. These jobs include being a counselor for general day camp, sports day camp, golf day camp, lakefront day camp, or tennis day camp. For the sports related camps, being ninth grade and above is required, and one should enjoy teaching sports to children of all ages in the warm summer heat. There are no application deadlines for any of these positions, but day camps start the second week of June.
Although many of the jobs sound demanding and hard, the real life experience of having a professional job is very rewarding and impressive to universities or other jobs you may be applying for in the future.