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(Responses are listed alphabetically by FIRST NAME.)
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A: FROM STUDENT MEMBER ALEXIS K. IN VA
My summer is lusciously packed. Starting with an opportunity
to shadow a
producer with USA Today-Live, I'll then spend a week on Capitol
Hill serving
as a congressional aide, then I go with Earthwatch to the
Virgin Islands to
help scientists conduct research on termites and coral reef
fish (everybody-
check out the Earthwatch Institute site, search for the Student
Challenge
Awards Program, and apply for next summers all expense paid
research trips.
More on this after I return!), then I will be in an experimental
economics
camp, then work as a junior camp counselor, then go to Costa
Rica with a
joint Girl Scout and Outward Bound program called Rainforests,
River and
Reef, then I plan on spending the rest of the summer reading
books, drawing
manga, and getting together with my friends.
My summer is a dream come true. I have to tell you that I
worked really,
really hard to find opportunities that were funded. I was
also very
fortunate to get selected to things and knew I couldn't count
on anything
for sure. Most of what I'm doing is sponsored by Girl Scouts.
They do so
much to help girls get involved in math, science and technology
based
activities, so you might want to look into the GSUSA web site.
Because of
scouting, my summer is filled with things I'm interested in.
Because of
scouting, my summer is filled with math, science, and technology
opportunities. I'll be walking on clouds all summer.
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A: FROM MENTOR ANNE LUCIETTO
IN IL
I had a number of summer jobs over the years.
The first was working in a family member's tree nursery. It
was the most physically demanding job I have ever had... and
because I was family my hours were continuous except while
I was sleeping (which wasn't very long)! From that experience
I learned it was rewarding to work hard, and I knew I wanted
a job that would take me out and about and most importantly
outdoors.
The next summer I worked for a temp agency. My jobs ranged
from working at a wire production facility (in the office)
to picking paint chips to send to stores at a paint factory.
From those experiences I learned that I wanted to go to college,
work hard and do the best job I could. I learned about how
to make wire and paint as well as other things.
After that I worked in our family business making small wire
parts. The parts were used in a variety of places and things.
They were made out of a large variety of wire (steel to precious
metals). We made some in a completely automated way as well
as some by hand. I ran machines as well as made parts by hand...
learned all aspects of this kind of production as well as
the materials and mechanical theories related to this kind
of work.
Today my interests are in mechanical troubleshooting and problem
resolution as well as materials and all of the issues of compatibility
and non-compatibility. These jobs made me realize my capabilities
and interests. It was surprising to me as I look back to realize
all of my summer jobs contributed to my current career and
job choices!
I work outside, work hard, am versatile, have a variety of
knowledge bases and do what I have to do to get a job done!
All things I saw, learned and practiced as I made my way through
summers in HS and College!
Good luck to all of you! Be open to whatever comes your way...
it may surprise you!
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A: FROM MENTOR BARB KONTOGIANNIS
IN CO
The best technical summer job I had was at a small company
that worked on flight simulators for specialized aircraft,
like vertical-takeoff-and-landing, or standard-takeoff/vertical-landing
aircraft. I spent a lot of time commenting and organizing
already written computer code and doing several small projects
at the engineers' request. I also got to "fly" in
the simulators. I was a terrible "pilot" and therefore
was a great test for the computer code. If anyone could break
the simulation code, it would be me. I recall flying backwards,
underground during one simulation, watching trees go by above
my head - if that didn't stretch the software, I don't know
what would. I learned a lot about the world of engineering
that summer, as well as what I liked and didn't like about
certain aspects of engineering. I learned that I didn't like
writing code or working on control algorithms, but I did like
to troubleshoot hardware and analyze data. This summer job
was actually while I was in college, and I applied based on
an ad in the career center. I don't know how many students
applied, but for my interview I dressed up to look as professional
as possible, and asked a lot of questions. I also talked about
my previous jobs, that although not technical in nature, taught
me how to be a good employee. Showing interest and enthusiasm
is what I think really got me the job.
I had several other summer jobs, both in high school and in
college. None of the others were technical in nature, although
I did work in a doctor's office for over a year (summer and
after school). I started at the doctors office for a few hours
after school entering manual records into their new computer
system. It was intended to be a short term job, and I was
recommended by my typing teacher (yes, we actually had to
learn how to type then, not having grown up using a computer
and learning how to type at an early age). After a few weeks
when all the data entry was done, the doc asked me if I would
stay on for a couple of hours after school each day to help
the office staff, and I eventually worked nearly full time
all summer. I did a variety of things, like organizing x-rays,
patient appointment reminders, bringing patients back to the
exam room, as well as a lot of observing to learn how the
office was run and what a career in the medical profession
was like. I learned that I was not really interested in the
field of medicine at all.
One of the other valuable jobs was a summer I spent working
at a temp agency. You might think, yuck! Why would I do that?
I probably worked at 5 or 6 different companies that summer,
as a temporary employee, on assignments anywhere from 1 day
to 6 weeks long. My skills in working with people and adapting
to new situations grew by leaps and bounds. Those are skills
you need in ANY work environment, not just technical careers.
So here's my advice - whether your summer job is technical
or not, take the opportunity to learn from it. Observe what
others do, identify "life skills" that you can take
with you anywhere. If you can demonstrate responsibility,
accountability, and the ability to work with people, you will
be seriously considered when you are applying for the next
job, the one you are really wanting to get.
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A: FROM STUDENT MEMBER DIANA J. IN CA
I have never had a serious job before. I guess the only jobs
I had
were when parents are in dire need of assistance in short
timing. I am a freshman
in high school and I have not been looking for a summer job.
Although I have
not experienced many jobs, I have done several babysitting
"oppurtunities."
From my babysitting experiences, I have noticed that I can
bond with children
easily. It seems to me that something about me lets kids comfortable
around me.
Intersetingly, I can understand kids and have a conversation
with them.
Whenever a parent tells me their children likes me, I have
a feeling of
accomplishment. Finding out that I enjoy interacting with
kids, I have decided to have an
option of becoming a pediatrician open. I would like to be
a children's doctor
when I grow up. That would be exciting! It would also be very
cool if I
delivered babies.
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A: FROM STUDENT MEMBER FRANCISCA L. IN CA
This summer I will probably be working for the city of San
Diego. I am taking job readiness classes and wil interview
for the intership next month. Its hard to get a job since
I am not 16 years old yet and I have no experience but it
can be done. Maybe next summer I can get a math, science or
technology related job.
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A: FROM STUDENT MEMBER JAE Y. IN CA
I don't really have any summer job that I am sure of. However,
I'll be doing
a lot of community service working at a nursing home. Also,
I have two
summer classes that I will be taking this summer.
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A: FROM STUDENT MEMBER JANE L. IN IL
I never had a summer job having to do with science, engineering,
or
technology because I am still an 8th grader. I did have a
summer job helping the
librarian out though. That taught me more about using more
of the computer, but it
wasn't a major part in the job.
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A: FROM STUDENT MEMBER JENNIFER K. IN NJ
I've had little job experience dealing with science, engineering,
or
technology yet. I have however been a camp counselor and a
custodial
assistant in the past summers. During the school year, I've
worked at a
local music store, working behind the desk. While probably
not the most SET
involved job, it has honed my mental math skills quite a bit.
So far, the most technologically involved "job"
was not a job, but volunteer
work for a local non-profit organization. I designed their
website over the
duration of several months which allowed me to further my
skills in web
design and programming.
This summer, I won't be getting a summer job, but only because
I'll be
attending a pre-college program in architecture for 6 weeks,
and then
another camp for the last week of the summer. Hopefully, being
at the
program will allow me to identify my strengths and weaknesses
and perhaps
make sure of my goals. The last week, I will be leading a
large group of
kids in...band camp. Perhaps not the most technologically
involved event,
it will help my leadership skills.
I find it's hard for the average teenager to find a summer
job related to a
field they'd like to pursue later in life, so I would just
recommend taking
what you can get, and gaining as much experience in anything
as
opportunities will allow. The best thing to probably do if
you're really
interested is attending a program that will expand your knowledge
on the
area. With that, it might be easier for you to gain a job.
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A: FROM STUDENT MEMBER KATHRYN T. IN VA
My summer is mostly spent in a technologically devoid area.
I will be a camp counselor at a girls' camp in West Virginia
teaching archery and canoeing. I will also serve as a camp
counselor at an overnight camp for high school lacrosse players.
When the camps are over I hope to fill in as a lifeguard at
pools where people return to college in August. I am not due
to return to college until September. Perhaps next summer
will bring science into my life as I will probably take organic
chemistry to avoid it during the school year with other subjects.
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A: FROM MENTOR KRISTIN TAGHON
IN IL
Hi,
I had a few summer jobs that were good for different reasons.
One summer job was as a carhop for A&W (no we did not
wear roller skates!). It
was my first summer job and it was good because it brought
me out of my shell.
I could not be shy waiting on people and trying to make good
tips. I made alot
of friends outside of my school. It broadened my horizon.
My next summer job was at a Jewel Food Store. I was a cashier
and then was
promoted to service desk. I opened and closed the store. I
really enjoyed the
job and was very good with people, with running the break
schedule, with
balancing the days business, with responsibility. I think
this job is actually
helping me NOW more than before because I lost my job and
am re-evaluating what
I want to do next in my career. And one thing I know is that
I am good working
with other people and running things.
The summer job that actually made a BIG difference at the
time was my Park
Leader Job. I had finished my second year at college as an
Education Major and
took this job because I thought it would help me later to
find a job as a
teacher. I organized kids' games at the park and just hung
out with them. I
didn't really like it. I didn't like having to discipline
all the time. I
realized that that would be a big part of teaching. So, this
job helped me to
realize that maybe teaching wasn't for me. So, I thought about
what I liked in
school and what would make good money. I decided since I liked
my computer
programming job, that I would go into Computer Science.
All three of these jobs, I just went in and filled out an
application. I filled
it out very neatly and filled in every blank. I dressed nicely
to go and
apply. I believe because I did this, that is why I was hired.
The hiring
employers make assumptions based on what they see - how you
fill out an
application and how you dress, how you speak. If you smile,
and try to be
confident, that helps also!
Good luck this summer - and have fun!
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A: FROM STUDENT MEMBER MAUREEN Y. IN CA
So far, I've never had a job, summer job or any other kind.
However, right now I am volunteering at a public library and
occasionally
help my dad out at his workplace.
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A: FROM STUDENT MEMBER SANNA R. IN VA
Well, This summer is rather short for me, I have to be at
college August 15th! But I will be traveling to my native
Finland to live in the countryside for most of the time. While
this isnt really a job, it definately has alot to do with
the environmental sciences. In Finland we recycle nearly everything:
batteries, plastic, metals, paper, and almost everything else
imaginable. This campaign is helping to cut down on pollution
in that pristine country for future generations.
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