Jobs & Volunteering
I cannot imagine a summer without work and internships. Others can, but I cannot. I would be bored out of my mind. My first job was at Monell Chemical Senses Center in 2009. I was a student apprentice in DNA research. It is my most memorable job because it came as a shock to my lazy mind. When I was given my work hours at that job, I was so sure that 9 am to 5pm from Monday to Friday for six weeks’ was no sweat. I thought, “Isn’t that almost like school? All I have to do is work and maybe daydream once in a while and it would be over!” Then I started looking at the clock in my lab. 10 am. 10:30 am. 10:40 am. 10:45 am. 10:45 am. 10:45am! Did Time stop?! The day was crawling by like a snail on the back of a turtle. I started dozing off. I began to tune out my partner’s voice. My internship coordinator caught me with my eyes shut, and she was not at all pleased. That was my wake-up call. Then, I began to pay more attention at work.
Evenings dedicated to listening on AOL online radio became my time for independent research. My research partner was doing most of the work at first, but that stopped. I started making contributions to the project. By the time we presented our research results at the symposium, I was so happy…not because the program was over, but because I was so proud of my accomplishment. You may be thinking, “Good for you, but what does that have to do with me?”
Sign up for a summer job. That is the main point of my story. Jobs provide money, but also provide a sense of fulfillment and maturity. Also, signing up for summer jobs impresses colleges because it shows that you did not “party your summer away.” If there are no jobs available, consider volunteering, aka community service. Volunteers are always in demand in non-profit organizations. Sure, there may be no weekly or bi-weekly check involved, but there are other positive results. For instance, colleges are much impressed with volunteering because you are offering your services and precious time for free! Besides, the positive results of work listed above, apart from money, can also result from volunteering. 
I know about such benefits because I have been providing free book reviews for the Free Library of Philadelphia for the past two summers. Staying home to watch cable in your pajamas and partying till sunrise may seem to be a solid summer schedule for you, but you can never grow mentally in that system. Trust me, I would love to read romantic Free Library of Philadelphia - Olney Branch
novels and go to the beach every summer day rather than work, but I am sure that I will get bored. Getting a job or volunteering is a helpful thing to do every summer. If you need advice or help concerning jobs and volunteering, ask your school counselor during the school year and stay alert about work or community service announcements.
Here are some links that may be useful:
Ronald McDonald House – but you must be at least 18 years old
Information from the U.S. government
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Check out the following links for more information: