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<p>I feel sorry those people. Is it like a downward cycle of agitation? It’s kind of like an allergy where the reaction gets worse with every exposure. They are headed for a very agitated life!</p>
<p>My D1 has worked 6-8 hours per week through the school year and as many hours as she can get in the summers as a lifeguard and swim instructor at our local not-for-profit community center; additional hours as a paid math tutor and volunteer Latin tutor; additional hours as a babysitter and (in the summer) substitute nanny; additional hours as a Sunday School teacher (one year) and running the church nursery (one year). It hasn’t interfered with her academics or ECs, both of which are stellar. The paid jobs gave her both pocket money and a not insignificant level of savings toward college. The jobs and volunteer work both demanded and taught her invaluable leadership skills and teaching skills, and put her in positions of responsibility for the health, safety, well-being, and development of others. My feeling is that these activities fit together as a package, and show a kid who can take initiative, take responsibility, exercise leadership, and make a positive contribution to her community. I can’t help but feel that those qualities shone through on her college apps, and were far more beneficial to her character development than any bought-and-paid-for canned “experience” like a Harvard summer program or an expensive volunteer service-abroad trip. At any rate, they were good enough to get her into her #1 choice school, a highly selective LAC that seems to place a premium on character and community service.</p>
<p>How many of your public high schools have summer internship placement programs?</p>
<p>My oldest son worked retail at the local mall in summer, went to a LAC, and now has his MA, but my D never had a summer job, (she played travel softball for her HS) and she just graduated from Northwestern, so I did want to point out that both paths can lead to success.</p>