YMCA

Camp counselor

May - August 2018 • Apex, NC

What I liked

It was a very positive environment to work in and a very well run camp.

What I wish was different

Nothing

Advice

Your attitude effects the way the kids act. So go in with a positive attitude even when you are not feeling it.

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Lifeguard

May - August 2018 • Cincinnati, OH

What I liked

Flexible hours and not stressful

What I wish was different

Wish I had been paid extra for things like pre school camps and other things the pool hosted

Advice

Don’t over commit for jobs if you have multiple

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Summer Camp Counselor

May - August 2018 • Memphis, TN

What I liked

I liked working with kids because they helped me learn a lot about myself and also them.

What I wish was different

I wish I would have did a summer camp sooner!

Advice

Be as creative as you can be!

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Pool Lifeguard

February 2013 - August 2018 • Wausau, WI

What I liked

It was really great having a capable team to work with in order to keep everyone safe and having fun

What I wish was different

I wish there has been an opportunity for me to get certified as a water safety instructor, and as a lifeguard instructor.

Advice

Definitely be sure to try out teaching, because making a difference in kids lives really changed how I view things.

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Camp Counselor

May - August 2018 • Midlothian, VA

What I liked

Working with the kids and the activities we did were lots of fun!!

What I wish was different

Advice

This job can be tough, but remember that you have a chance to help shape a child's life and have fun with some great kids!

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Camp Counselor

June 2017 - August 2018 • Boston, MA

What I liked

The freedom to design and facilitate various activties for the kids to complete. Ranged between physical education, arts and crafts, to academics.

What I wish was different

Tighter scheduling for off site large group field trips.

Advice

Learning how to adapt to the needs of your community for a better social outcomes

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Lifeguard

June - August 2018 • Pittsfield, MA

What I liked

All of the employees really care about the impact on the community that the YMCA has and have a lot of programs for the public that support this.

What I wish was different

There is a shortage of lifeguards which means working long hours and lots of double shifts.

Advice

As a lifeguard, as soon as you think there might be a problem it is important to react before it turns into an emergency.

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Summer Camp Director

October 2016 • San Jose, CA

What I liked

I enjoyed the engagement with the children and families. I enjoyed leading a group of students and having leaders on my team. I enjoyed going on weekly trips - some were my first time to the location such as Gilroy Gardens and Oakland Zoo.

What I wish was different

I wish I took the role differently. I wish I led and set up my program to be successful in different aspects.

Advice

If you are passionate about working with children, this is an opportunity you wont regret!

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Summer camp

July - August 2018 • Champaign, IL

What I liked

Very fun

What I wish was different

More hours

Advice

Fun hanging with kids

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Camp Counselor

June 2017 • Julian, CA

What I liked

I loved working with kids and helping them grow and be comfortable with themselves. Even though I was the person in charge, it often felt like I was being paid to act like a child. The community there is amazing, and it is truly a place where you can be yourself while also making a difference. I would suggest this job to anyone who is willing to put all effort into whatever you are doing, no matter how crazy or weird it is.

What I wish was different

I wish that I was more organized. For how much fun it is, it is still an extremely hard and stressful job. If I was more organized, I could have handled a lot of stressful situations better without such an impact on my mental health.

Advice

Going all out is a necessary part of this job. There is no half-assing allowed if you want to do your job well. In the end, you are there so that the kids can have fun, not you. But always make sure that you don't go so hard that you burn out.

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Camp Unit Director

June - August 2018 • Hilton, NY

What I liked

I enjoyed being able to be outside in the summer and getting t spend my day with kids. I enjoyed working with my co-workers.

What I wish was different

I wish that I got more appercation for what I did at work. being a unit director I was in charge of kids ages 8-10. I had to talk about behavior to the children and their parents.

Advice

you have to love summer and being able to work with kids to love this job. Theres so many things you can do outside and act like a kid with the kids

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mentor

February - April 2018 • Minneapolis, MN

What I liked

It was great being able to work with kids in the literacy matters program.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Pool Lifeguard

May - August 2018 • Fullerton, CA

What I liked

Schedule was super flexible, co-workers were great, boss was very lenient and kind.

What I wish was different

Nothing, it was an almost perfect work environment.

Advice

Work as much as you can because it seems hard and tiring in the moment but definitely worth it in the long run.

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Camp Counselor

June - August 2018 • Lake George, NY

What I liked

I really enjoyed the opportunity to work primarily in the wilderness. I also very much liked the challenges I faced, especially appreciating the growth in leadership skills that comes with the chance to work with kids as a mentor and role model. This is a very fun job, and the relationships you cultivate with the kids are so valuable and worthwhile. This is a very good place to learn how to work with others since you must work closely and communicate quickly and effectively with other staff members. Really fun to be trained in outdoor education and survival.

What I wish was different

Its a very taxing and sometimes thankless job. As a counselor you have to be "on" all of the time, meaning that you have to be attentive, firm, fair, and fun. This can be challenging, even more so if you're working with a tough batch of kids. But there is support from various places, like other staff members and supervisors. Biggest thing is that I wish I had more time off.

Advice

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Teaching Assistant (Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School)

June - July 2018 • Novato, CA

What I liked

Through the Y I was able to work with the age group I wanted to as well as get experience teaching English to the children.

What I wish was different

Nothing

Advice

Even if you don’t want to go into teaching, it is extremely helpful

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Camp Counselor

June - August 2018 • San Diego, CA

What I liked

Working with children

What I wish was different

More consistency from supervisors

Advice

Best for people who love to work with kids, high stamina for being outdoors and standing all day

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Lifeguard

June - August 2018 • Hillsborough Township, NJ

What I liked

the coworkers the positive energy everyone had, despite the heat

What I wish was different

the organization

Advice

definitely a good job, both seasonally and year-round

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Front Desk Receptionist

June - July 2018 • Tempe, AZ

What I liked

I liked the people who came in and the quiet ambiance.

What I wish was different

I wish there was more flow of customers and it was not as slow as it was.

Advice

Working is important to keep up over the summer in between semesters. Especially if you are not enrolled in classes. It keeps you busy

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Pool Lifeguard

April 2016 - August 2018 • New Brighton, PA

What I liked

Love the atmosphere

What I wish was different

I wish the job was more related to my field of study

Advice

Elderly people at the YMCA will give you a new outlook on life.

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Marketing Intern

May - August 2018 • Sheboygan, WI

What I liked

I really enjoyed being in charge of my own projects. I took on video creation, tv electronic footage, brochures, and flyers. I was able to work on my marketing and adobe skills and then submit rough drafts for feedback from staff before publishing my work.

What I wish was different

I wish more resources had been available for me. I came ready with my own adobe suite and camera, but the company did not have many additional resources.

Advice

Be proactive; my boss and manager absolutely loved it when I came to them with a question about a task no one had asked me to do, but I had noticed needed to be done. When I took on tasks and projects I came across as competent and caring.

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