As the school year comes to a close, students begin to embrace employment opportunities during summer break. From working in a clothing store, life guarding at a pool, to walking dogs, there are many job options in Virginia Beach.
Corinne Daughtery, an IB freshman, took up a life guarding position at her local pool. “I wanted a job that kept me active and allowed me to be outdoors,” Daugherty said.
Prior to getting the job, Daugherty had known the owners and always said she would work at that pool when she became old enough. Although she knew the owner, she still had to undergo the training in order to be prepared for the job. “The training was intense, but I feel prepared to handle emergencies and keep everyone safe.” Daugherty claimed.
She had to attend multiple training classes to be properly equipped to watch over locals at the pool, as well as a timed swim test and certifications in CPR and first aid. Lifeguards must complete a 500-meter swim in under 10 10 minutes and complete classroom instruction as part of the hiring process. “It really is so much more than just sitting in a chair,” said Daugherty.
Daugherty will be working many weekends and weekdays over the summer and said that the job would be a “really good opportunity to physically challenge myself, keep myself busy, and help me respond better under pressure.”
Another student who is working over the summer is IB freshman Ellie Frank, who will be working as a babysitter. She babysits locally in her neighborhood and for multiple families in the Virginia Beach community. “I like kids, and babysitting fits well with my schedule,” Frank said. “I can really work whenever I want and the hours are very flexible.”
It started with family friends, then the word spread quickly about Ellie’s business. Now, she has a variety of different families requesting her service. Before she could babysit professionally, she took an online babysitting basics course, which covered topics like safety, disciplinary actions, and fun activities for every age group.
“When watching older kids, they really do whatever they please, but younger kids are a whole different story.” Frank said, “Little kids need attention all the time and I constantly need to have my head on a swivel.” Although it takes adjusting to work with all age ranges, Frank said, “It gave me confidence. Parents want to know their kids are in good hands and they trust me.”
All children are different and Frank has had to come up with different activities to best fit the interest of the child. “Sometimes I’m just playing games or helping with lunch and other times I’m making sure the kids stay in bed. No day is the same.” Frank claims that she enjoys the diversity of each day and how “everyday is like a new adventure.”
Ashley Budlong, also an IB freshman, is working at an ice cream shop. She applied and interviewed at multiple shops before being hired at a small ice cream shop near the Oceanfront.
Budlong says that she learned how to handle the stress of balancing customers and making orders. “I didn’t expect it to be so fast-paced, but I’ve learned to handle it,” she said, “There’s a lot to keep up with like making ice cream sundaes, ringing people up, keeping things clean.”
When looking for a job, Budlong wanted something social where she was able to talk to people and help out as much as possible. “The shop can get really busy during the summer, but the more people the better,” Budlong said. “It is very fun because I get to talk to people, and there’s always something to do.”
Many teens find jobs through online lists on websites like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and local social media pages. Also, businesses like little shops and restaurants at the Oceanfront allow people who are looking for jobs to ask questions about the job and if they are hiring.
Teens in Virginia Beach can also find employment through the city’s Summer Youth Employment Program, which connects people ages 16 to 21 with short-term local positions. There is also a lot of information about job opportunities on the Parks and Recreation website in Virginia Beach.
