Summer jobs

Think beyond typical ideas to make spending money

For years, parents have instilled their teenagers with the conventional adage, "Money doesn't grow on trees," and in terms of summertime spending, Mom couldn't agree more.

Now, with vicious AP exams and state playoffs out of the picture, the need for "summer necessities" has become increasingly apparent. Lifeguards, hostesses and baby sitters alike have created the stereotypical image of the "best" summer job. But with so many options, there's no reason to take the easy way out. Here are a few suggestions that can provide a helpful jump-start to a more worthwhile vacation.

Golf course attendant

For some teens, being enclosed by four walls for seven hours can be quite unpleasant, especially when the Charleston sun is at its peak. Nevertheless, golf courses throughout the Lowcountry provide involved and rewarding jobs for teens who enjoy the outdoors and know a thing or two about a 9-iron. As a golf course attendant, responsibilities can include anything from attending to golf carts, welcoming guests of the country club and "maintaining the car fleet," says Brian Logue of Charleston National Country Club in Mount Pleasant. To be hired, the applicant must be 16 and possess a driver's license to legally operate golf carts.

When asked what qualities Charleston National looks for when hiring, Logue replied, "Friendly people who are welcoming and very hardworking. ... We also want people who have initiative and don't have to be asked to do something."

Pay starts at minimum wage, which, as of July 24, is $6.55 an hour; however, that does not include tips from guests. At Charleston National, Logue says, the average shift consists of seven hours, but this is not the only course available. Just by browsing the Yellow Pages, a golf course is bound to be found nearby.

Busers

The idea of a job in the food and beverage industry usually is set aside until legal age. Most restaurants will hire teenagers to bus tables at 16, a responsibility above a hostess, yet not at waitress level.

Larissa Clarke, a junior at Charleston County School of the Arts, began busing tables at 16 at The Glass Onion, a West Ashley restaurant that specializes in homegrown products. Larissa makes $5 an hour, and her job is geared more toward customer interaction at the restaurant, where she greets customers and clears tables. Though the hourly wage seems less than average, the tips that Larissa collects each shift exceed the average paycheck of a hostess or that of an underage teen worker in the food-and-beverage industry.

Wando High School junior John Linch agrees about the benefits of the extra cash, saying his pay is "superior to (his) last job." John finds he still has the same responsibilities busing tables at Red Drum Gastropub but with better compensation. In this job, a friendly outlook and a hard work ethic are necessary to fully earn the tips that busers receive, he says.

Baristas

The sophistication of coffeehouses is available not only to mysterious college poets, but to high school students who have the stamina to work early bird shifts.

With some mainstream coffee shops such as Starbucks hiring youths at 16, the mature atmosphere has become available to a younger crowd. Brittany Henderson, a junior at Wando, has worked at a Mount Pleasant Starbucks for almost a year. Earning $7 an hour plus tips, Brittany does everything from taking orders to making drinks and setting up new drink samples. She admits the 50 percent discount she gets on everything in the cafe comes in handy. But it's not only popular franchises that receive all the glory, though the minimum required age is 18 at many smaller coffee cafes, such as High Point Coffee and Java Java, they also offer the same laid-back atmosphere as the well-known Starbucks.

Volunteer options

Although these alternatives don't cash in, volunteer opportunities are a great way to get a college resume started, particularly when there is enough time to put in. While it is a little more difficult to become involved, the benefits are endless.

Last summer, Laura Stanger, a junior at School of the Arts, volunteered as a camp counselor for three weeks at Camp St. Christopher, a Christian-based camp on Seabrook Island. As a counselor, Laura had the responsibilities of tutoring children ages 10-14, mentoring young minds and ministering to groups of kids.

Because it is a sleep-away camp, Laura and other counselors also had to maintain the cabins and administer behavioral issues. An average day consisted of activities such as arts and crafts, kayaking, sailing, archery and learning about aquatic animals. To be hired, Laura says, although it is not important to have participated in the camp, it is vital to have a "love (for) kids, be strong in your beliefs and always be energetic and understanding of problems" that might occur.

For more information on this camp, visit www.stchristopher.org. Pick up a summer recreational guide at a nearby recreational department for a listing of upcoming camps and check them out. A summer in the sun could be in the future.

Local opportunities

When Charleston sits in the middle of a major tourist district, it's not surprising to find so many jobs supported by non-natives. Senior Aubrey McCullough of Wando has been working at the Old South Carriage Company for more than two years. Employees can begin the process to start working for Old South at 16 after passing a city license exam.

Earning $9 an hour plus tips, Aubrey averages around four one-hour tours per shift around downtown Charleston, driving and maintaining her horses.

Junior Marisa Dickson recently was hired at All That's Good Italian Ice. Known for its cheerful employees and free samples, this all-girl company has stands throughout downtown Charleston. Though the eight-hour shifts can be tiring, each employee's pay is through tips, so the pay can vary with each day. With flexible hours and a younger hiring age (15), selling Italian ice in Charleston's tourist district is an easier way to earn summer cash than most think.

Scorekeeping

Swim lessons, check. Basketball games, yep. Summer job, what? Believe it or not, the same place that provides arts and crafts and dancing lessons also offers job opportunities for teens.

Wando junior Katie Lynn has been working for the Mount Pleasant Recreation Department for nearly three years. Katie earns $6.50 an hour by keeping a book of play-by-plays and taking down the scores of the games. Admitting that the job is for those who understand the basics of most sports, Katie says among the benefits is being able to watch sports while working. Call or visit any neighboring recreational department to check out jobs.

The key to finding a summer job is to be consistent and persevere. If an opportunity backfires, just keep swimming! Good luck, and happy hunting!

Taylor Cheney is a rising senior at Charleston County School of the Arts. Reach her at tracingthesun@gmail.com. Caroline Howard is a rising senior at Wando. Reach her at choward1126@gmail.com.