The Impact of My Summer Job Anonymous

During the summer of 2007, I worked at a swimming pool, coaching the swim team, giving swim lessons, and lifeguarding. Early on, I realized that this summer job would demand more from me, and in turn give back a lot more, than I had initially expected. By the time summer was over, I had discovered that this experience had had a profound impact upon my life, especially in providing me with confidence and insights into how to better relate to and work with other people.

During the twenty hours a week I worked as a lifeguard, I learned to be constantly aware of what was going on in and around the pool, to anticipate problems, and, whenever necessary, to be firm and assertive with swimmers of all ages in order to make sure that the pool remained safe. In addition, before anyone arrived at the pool, and after everyone had left, I was responsible for maintaining the equipment, the chemical balance and cleanliness, and the security of the pool.

What was especially rewarding, however, was the additional time I spent six days a week coaching the swim team in competition against other teams, and teaching swim lessons for kids who were five to eleven years of age. As I began my coaching experience, I had all sorts of great quotes in mind...