The value in working a minimum wage summer job

It was the beginning of my second semester when I set my summer plans in place—working at a golf course.

I didn’t think too critically about this decision, until “What are you doing this summer?” became a part of daily conversation. She was doing an internship, he was taking summer classes, they were studying abroad…and I was working as a glorified cashier with a phone and golf cart privileges.

Of course, others were working similar, minimum wage-type jobs or not even working at all—but more students than I had imagined were taking the path of academic and professional progression.

The nagging go-go-go feeling, the am I doing enough for my future anxiety which college has instilled in me had me re-thinking my choice and feeling inefficient, unproductive, and doomed.

~Views~ from the pro shop

After my moment of dramatics, I realized my golf course job is much more productive than I had initially thought. Beyond the financial benefits of having any job, I recognized the ways in which taking a summer (or two) to work a minimum wage job provides value, even in the face of impressive internships or academic pursuits.

No idea about the future? No problem

I know it won’t involve working at a golf course, but right now, I don’t even know my major. While pre-med students may be interning for a surgeon or knocking out organic chemistry, my attempt at that kind of industriousness would be forced and likely counter-productive.

Idiomatically speaking, it would be like putting most of my eggs in one basket with a blind fold on…Where would I intern? Do I even need to take summer classes? To figure it all out, it’s best to take my time and not to rush into something uncertain.

Me working hard in my polo

The experience is almost like a rite of passage

A minimum wage job is intended to be a stepping stone for a reason—there are basics that every worker should learn before they move up the ladder (or move on to a totally different ladder). Having a minimum wage job introduces you to general work fundamentals like having a boss and co-workers, being a good employee and knowing how to act in a professional environment.

When I do get an internship or start my career, I will be grateful for what I learned through this experience, when rookie mistakes are expected and my hourly salary is in the single digits.

You learn a lot about people—good and bad

My job, like many other minimum wage-type jobs, involves dealing with people, but in a way that’s different from daily life. Interacting with people is mainly a perk of a job like this; friendly and understanding customers can make me believe in the goodness of humanity.

But I get a lesson in restraint and patience when a rude customer tries to argue with me over established prices or shows up fifteen minutes late for his tee time and expects me to accommodate him. Either way, I learn a lot about how to make connections and how to deal with all types of people, both in and out of work.

The money (now and later)

Talking strictly cash—a job is valuable, duh. But moving forward, working now, even if it is a minimum wage job, is going to pay off if an unpaid internship or summer session is in the future.

Lessons on lessons

More than just my cruel awakening to the reality of income taxes, I realized that I have taken a lot away from my working at the golf course. I got lessons in organization, attentiveness, and punctuality. These things were weaknesses for me, but it turns out I only needed the fear of being fired, the lure of a paycheck, and a time-punch card to be whipped into shape.

I also learned the importance of doing the best I can at whatever I’m doing – even if it’s just parking golf carts, I have come to appreciate that no task, no matter how small, should ever be ignored and that I should take pride in my best effort.

A row of golf carts parked to the best of my abilities. (It’s a lot harder than it looks.)

So, for those college students stuck this summer working at the mall, scooping ice cream, serving at a restaurant, or spending your days in the pro shop of a golf course, you are not alone and your job is valuable in more ways than one—so enjoy it, learn from it, and profit from it before the “real world” hits.