2012 conventions 2012 election 2013 session arts arts and culture author ballot measures basketball bomb books boy scouts budget bullying business charlie hales children clackamas climate change coal college courts crime culture culture club democrats drugs economy education environment family film fluoride food gay rights guns handguns health health care health insurance high school history housing immigration internet kitzhaber law legislature lgbt literary arts living marijuana marriage media medicine mental health military minor parties mohamed mohamud movies music native americans news newspaper obama olympics oregon our town parenting pers photography police politcs politics port portland portland business journal president prevention public safety religion republicans rnc romney rural salem sam adams sandy hook schools science shooting sports suicide supreme court taxes technology terrorism theater third parties transportation union university of oregon washington wildfire women

My first job (at 14) was as a janitor for my dad's optometric practice. My best move, though, was getting my lifeguard certification at 15. I worked summers at the city pool in Klamath Falls, and at the YMCA during the school year. When I cam to Portland for college, I continued w/the Y, and also started w/Portland Parks & Rec. I worked for them (full time in summer, part time during the school year) all the way through college and up until I had my first son. I am encouraging my own kids (not quite old enough yet) to hone their swimming skills so they, too, can work for PP & R. You gain great customer service skills, teaching swimming lessons gives valuable experience working w/kids, as you move up, there are management opportunities that will translate well on a resume, too. Additionally, not only do you avoid the fast-food industry, you have the built-in cool factor. All this and you make decent money, too!
Thanks,
Carrie

posted 4 years, 11 months ago
view in context