What was your summer job as a teen? What lessons did you learn and what opportunities did it create? Do you think high school students should work during the school year?
Most old folks were! — Howard Gaines III
My dad had a gas station. Every night after school, I worked at the station. Saturday and Sunday, too. I was always glad to have pocket money. — Vincent Deskiewicz
I was a babysitter at age 11, a lifeguard and a Dunkin’ counterperson and finisher. I also worked at a sneaker store and sold sewing machines for Singer Corp. — Sherry Buckingham Peck
Starting in second grade, I worked on a farm, 40 hours a week for 25 cents an hour. When it was harvest time, I got paid by the pound or basket. The job lasted until pumpkins were harvested in September. Unfortunately, the farmer got Alzheimer’s disease, and the farm closed down after my fourth grade year. The job helped me develop a good work ethic. I think kids should work summer jobs, but that’s up to their parents. — Jim Sawchak
I am now 72. I started babysitting at age 14. Then, in high school, I worked in the front office after school each day for $1 an hour. In summers, I also worked at my school with staff. Then, after graduation, I went to work for the great DuPont Co. So, the money in high school got me fun things, like music albums. Some clothes. And, eventually, after age 16, gas for my car. So, I was always happy. And proud of myself. — Denise Bella
At age 14 and 15, I worked in the watermelon fields during the summer, and I also would babysit. I delivered newspapers, as well. I got a job at Tastee Freeze when I turned 16 and then at a local bank my senior year of high school. I worked my entire life except right after the birth of my first child. Then, I finally got a part-time job until I found a full-time job. I have worked full time my entire adult life. — Sandy Johnson
I started working at age 15. — Hank Vetta
I had a summer job working at a camp, and it was the worst experience of my life. The entire management staff — it was their way or no way at all, and each one of them would contradict each other. — Kyle Hendrix
Living downtown, I had an early-morning paper route on my way to school. After school, I worked part time at Hubbard’s Grocery Store, on the corner of Division and Queen streets. — K. Bodine
I started working at age 11 with a paper route. Both of my children did the same. It gives discipline and work ethic. That job teaches you how to provide the service in a timely manner, and taking collections teaches kids to handle money. — John Drennen
I worked at a burger joint starting at age 16. I only worked day shifts, so it was weekends during the school year and four or five days a week in the summers. My parents did not want me working nights. I had some fun times with co-workers. We would often go bowling or roller skating. — Pam McMillan
