Students Look Ahead to Summer and Prepare for Their Summer Jobs

As the end of the school year is fast approaching, the idea of summer seems to be on everyone’s minds at Greendale. Working in the summer is popular among many students, whether it just gives them something to do or as a way to make some money.

One of these students who will be working this summer is senior Alanna Swenski. This summer will be her third year working at Jellystone Park in Caledonia, WI.

“I plan on working as an Adventure Island Attendant at the Yogi Bear Jellystone Campground in Caledonia for my third year and am really looking forward to working at the Campground again because it’s a fun job (at least when it’s less busy at the beginning of the season!) and I got a raise, so I will definitely appreciate that this summer, too!” she said. 

One of the main reasons why she is working this summer is to save up money towards her college tuition as she will attend MSOE for Architectural Engineering in the fall. “The main reason I am working, much like everyone else, is to pay off college tuition as much as I can prior to beginning my education. Going to a private school is not cheap!” Swenski said.

Senior Sarah Iselin is also looking forward to working this summer as she has the past two summers teaching sailing lessons to the youth and working as a Dockmaster. “I will be working at the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center this summer and I am looking forward to working because I really enjoy my job there,” she said. 

Like Swenski, Iselin needs money for college. “I’m working partly because of the money, because that will help me a little bit paying for college and other expenses I have. But also, I just really enjoy sailing and I like being at the sailing center, so it works out really well,” she stated.

Junior Gabriella Gilbertson, who just started her job, is excited to be working for her second summer at the Rock. “I work at the Rock for the Milkmen games. I was looking forward to working because my manager is so nice and I work with one of my close friends who goes to a different school,” she said. 

Gilbertson sells tickets for the Rock so people can enter the game. She also ushers too with her friend Sarah. “It gives me something to do so I am not just sitting at home, it’s also outside, so it’s not like I am stuck inside all day. I also want money especially for the summer,” she said.

In contrast, senior Mallory Potters, is not looking forward to working. “This summer I am going to be working at the New Berlin library and also at a golf course. I am not looking forward to working as it is the summer, but I understand how important it is to make money for college,” she said.

Potters will be shelving books and assist patrons with questions at her job working at the library – a job she’s had now for nearly two years. At the golf course, she will be working in the bag room. Her goal is to work as much as possible to earn money for college.

One reason she’s returning to the library is because of how they are with her schedule. “I have worked at the library for about a year and a half and I really like how flexible it is there with the schedule. I don’t really want to continue working there, but it’s an easy way to make money,” Potters said.

In addition to earning money, many work for the skills and experiences you obtain while working. “I also think, in general, that working allows you to develop great communication skills with coworkers and customers like we will be doing in our future, and depending on the job you work at, the experience offers so much more as well,” Swenski said. “For example, at Jellystone, I have become accustomed to working quickly and efficiently and solving problems on my own!” 

Iselin not only enjoys working at the Sailing Center, but loves to sail herself. “I really enjoy sailing. It’s something I do with my dad in my free time, so it’s great that I can have a job where I’m paid to do something that I normally do for fun,” she said. “Also, it’s nice to get to know my coworkers and have people who are also interested in sailing because there aren’t that many people I know who know how to sail outside of the Sailing Center.”

Gilberson is looking forward to meeting people and developing connections as well as enjoying the warm weather during the summer months. “I applied for this summer because my friends were doing it and I am close with the people there. The thing I like best is when it is warm outside and lots of people go to the game because then the time goes by fast,” she said.

Senior Aaron Shibilski, will be working for his third year this summer at The Villag Club. “I will be working at the village club and I am looking forward to working there,” he said. 

He plans to work 20-35 hours a week. “I like to be outside and around water. I continue to work there because there’s great people and it’s not too difficult.”

As Greendale High School students prepare for summer, a great way many students are saving up money and obtaining skills is through working a summer job, though some may not be looking forward to it as much as others.