The final bell rings–summer has started. Upper School students hurriedly file through the halls, excited for the start of summer break and a reprieve from learning. For other students, however, summer marks the beginning of a new, hands-on opportunity to pursue their passions.

     Summer internships and part-time jobs are valuable experiences that can shape students’ futures. Through hands-on work, students gain important skills, face real-world challenges, and build connections that influence their career path. 

     Junior Luke Lavoie’s summer internship at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital was more than a job for him. Working in the Patient Safety and Quality Department, he had the opportunity to observe nearly seven different pediatric surgeries, including an open heart surgery. 

     All of this happened while he engaged in clerical work, planning, organizing, and meeting with hospital officials, allowing him to develop several professional relationships. “This internship exceeded my expectations in so many ways. I plan on applying next year and hope to have an even better experience,” Lavoie said.

     Junior Mila Bianco’s summer role with SCG Construction to build a new track and field highlights a different aspect of work experience. While motivated to give back to Shorecrest, she faced the challenge of working outdoors for long periods of time. “It was painfully hot outside,” said Bianco. “The first day, I almost passed out because it was so hot.”

     While she found a solution to this problem–“sun shirts”–her time on the construction site also offered her a new perspective. “​​I know I’ll never fully understand the task and difficulty of construction work, but from this summer and getting just a taste of what it’s like, I feel more appreciative of the people who work in that workforce,” Bianco said.

     Meanwhile, junior Betty Li discovered the nature of working as a barista at Starbucks. Her responsibilities ranged from making drinks and handling drive-through orders to general cleaning and food preparation. This dynamic allowed her to sharpen her skills in multitasking, time management, and customer service. Li said, “At Starbucks, we don’t have assigned responsibilities; we have to learn to do everything.” 

     As is commonplace for teenagers joining the workforce, she also admitted to grappling with anxiety while embracing her new role.

     “I was very scared to go to work at first because of how my coworkers are so much older and have so much more experience,” Li said. Over time, however, she was able to overcome her fears and gain confidence in the workplace.

     The experiences of Lavoie, Bianco, and Li offer valuable lessons for students considering internships or part-time jobs: it’s important to choose them wisely.  

     Bianco stressed that “academics is one of the most important parts of your high school career. Just make sure you are balancing correctly between the two things and don’t overwork and overplan your days/weeks, or you are going to burn yourself extremely quickly.”

     Li agreed. “For other students considering taking on a job, my advice would be to pick a job that genuinely interests you and that you genuinely enjoy. There’s a lot of time spent at the job, and if you are not interested or passionate about it, it will not be enjoyable, and it will not be a fun time.”