For a college student, there are two choices over the summer: work or
summer school. Some students choose both. I choose work out of
necessity to store funds for rent the following year.
Two years ago, I painted over the summer. The nice part was working
outside in the sun doing good, solid physical labor. But physical work
combined with 40-50 hour weeks really wears on you, especially when
working at close to minimum wage. I had no desire to go back the next
summer.
So the next summer (last year) I became a teacher. My school puts on
two week workshops geared towards highschool students, and hires
teachers and teaching assistants from within their own student body.
Teaching was a much better experience than painting in every respect. I
worked just 30 hours a week, the work itself was easier, and even with
fewer hours I still ended up making more money. Plus I got to teach at
several offsite locations, with the school paying for travel and
lodging.
Teaching was also a different type of learning experience. Being in
charge of a class of highschool students was challenging and
instructive. I can't say that I was extremely successful at maintaining
classroom authority, or even in communicating all the material
effectively, but I can say that I performed adequately at both tasks.
Adequately enough to do it again this summer, anyways. Since teaching
was an overall enjoyable experience, I decided to do it again. My first
workshop begins one week from Monday. It will be my first visit to
South Carolina.
Until then I have one more week of summer freedom, which I plan to
enjoy without being unproductive.