I spent a good portion of my first year at UF looking for an internship.
I stalked the Career Resource Center website and walked around Career Showcase like I was trick-or-treating. But, like most of my first-year friends, I got nothing. So, what was I supposed to do? Study abroad wasn’t an option–my Jewish parents are always nervous about me getting kidnapped. Maybe next year. I could have worked in my dad’s office as an insurance underwriting reviewer/boring something-or-other, but I’d rather not die of boredom.
So, I did what I’ve done for the past three summers: went back to camp.
The month at home before camp started was the most difficult. While I waited at home for five weeks for public school to end and camp to start, my friends were already at their internships, back in Gainesville for Summer A or somewhere overseas. Basically, I was painfully bored with nothing to do and no reason to look for a job.
Finally, June came and camp started! Thank Yeezus. Immediately on that first day I knew I had made the right choice; I was happier being a camp counselor this summer than if I had actually landed a big internship.
Why?
I love working with kids; kids are always positive and always happy. Even when they poop their pants–which never stops being funny–or I yell at them for hitting another kid in the face–which will never stop happening for no real reason–they are happy.
Spending all summer with these kids makes me see the world as they do, like I used to. Everything seems new and exciting and sometimes you just start dancing without music for no reason (but I’m not pooping my pants or hitting anyone in the face).
The position of camp counselor also allows you to work on important life skills that you would never be to able work on in college or at a prestigious internship.
– You learn how to manage a team of “people” who know absolutely nothing. Example: Last week I had to teach a kid how to spread cream cheese on a bagel.
– You learn effective communication. Kids will not listen to anything.
– You learn how to balance work and fun. Although I love playing dodgeball and doing arts and crafts with the kids, I still have to let them know I’m in charge.
All summer I hear my friends brag about how great their internships are; I hear about their fancy legislative research for congressmen, or their newfound knowledge of selling advertising directly to buyers; I hear about the study abroad adventures, Birthright shenanigans and the shit show that we all know as Summer B. I don’t envy any of it (except maybe the ones doing Summer B), because I’m having more fun than any summer before.
Summers in college are the time we have the most freedom in our lives. We have the freedom to do absolutely anything without the constraints of a class schedule or career responsibilities. Whether we want to work on important legislation in D.C. or watch Netflix and eat Ben & Jerry’s all day, the options are limitless.
This summer I chose to go back to what I know best: summer camp. It’s a place where I can act goofy, enjoy my summer and surprisingly, learn real skills to bring back to school. Now if only I could add that to my resume…
Photo courtesy of: imdb.com
