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The Summer Job: Value Beyond the Paycheck!
A teenager’s summer job means, of course, income, which brings freedom to buy cool clothes, movie tickets, or extra gas for the car. But through the lens of adulthood, I’ve come to realize that those jobs mean a whole lot more. Through my summer jobs, I learned valuable lessons that I carry with me even today. I felt fortunate at the age of 16 to land my very first job in an office at the local newspaper, The Springfield News-Sun. My job, which began at 5:30 a.m. five days a week, was to answer the phone and take customer complaints. I was amazed to discover just how angry some people can be when they don’t receive their daily paper! One morning, I took a call from just such an enraged customer, and I made a note of her address on a slip of paper and placed it on my desk while I continued to answer more calls. Over the next few hours, the paper got buried,
and I failed to call the “runner” to request her replacement newspaper. She called back just before lunchtime, demanded the name of my supervisor, and vowed to have me fired. I choked back tears and promised to get her paper to her right away. The lesson here? To avoid the risk of mistakes on busy days, I needed to keep reminders within my line of sight. Hence began my practice of putting post-it notes in obvious places like my computer monitor. Another great example is the summer I spent working for a temp agency as a floating secretary. While I loved one of my weeks at a Japanese industrial company (where my boss called me “Melanie-san”), my favorite placement was working in the office of an attorney. The lawyer was home recovering from surgery, so I was answering the phone, handling walk-ins, and typing up a slew of letters and pleadings that the lawyer had left for me on dictation tapes. I listened to his recordings on a Dictaphone, using a foot pedal to rewind when I didn’t quite catch his words the first time. I noticed that every letter signed off with “Virtually Yours” as the closing phrase before the signature. It seemed an odd way to conclude a letter, so I rewound and played it back a dozen times. But there it was, clear as a bell. I put the stack of finished letters in his in-box. Early in the morning on the day he was to return to the office, I came across an older letter while doing some of his filing. I was shocked to see the closing of the letter as “Very Truly Yours.” Oh boy! I’ve never retyped so many letters so fast in my life. Lesson? Trust your instincts. If it doesn’t seem right — even if it comes straight from the boss — it probably isn’t.
Me at age 16, taking a break from summer job hunting
I could share many more examples, from the inventory job at Wren’s department store (where I learned that details matter, and not all red nail polishes are the same) to the job at the jewelry counter at J.C. Penney (where I learned that helping out coworkers goes a long way toward workplace harmony). If you think back to the summer jobs you had as a teenager, I bet you could come up with a few examples, too, that shaped your adult work habits. So, if you see youngsters behind the register at the store or at the window of your favorite drive-thru this summer, please be patient. They are learning important lessons!
- Melanie Fahey
The Springfield News-Sun, still standing today in Springfield, Ohio
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First Summer Jobs of Rinehardt Law Staff
Stephanie Hunt: My first summer job was at Dairyland in Mansfield. I was hired at the age of 15 as a carhop. I absolutely loved this job. It was a blast running back and forth to cars to take orders, delivering their food on a tray that hooked onto their window, and waiting outside for the next car to pull in. I remember having to learn how to cash people out right at their car with the money in my belt bag and had to learn how to figure out money exchanges in my head. Calculators were not a part of the gig. They gave us a food allowance each shift, and every time I worked, I got a pizza burger and a banana milkshake for free. I had not been to Dairyland for several years (likely decades) until earlier this summer when my family took a trip there for ice cream. And you guessed it, I got a banana milkshake and it was delicious. Fun fact: Dairyland was opened in 1947 and still resides at the same location. And yes, they even still have carhops!
Carrie Byus: I started working at Kroger when I was just 14 years old. Back then, they had a policy of “all lanes open from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.” and they would staff them with “mini minors” as we were called (14 and 15 year olds.) We could only work 2.5 hours per day but could work 8 hours on weekends.
I started as a bagger, worked up to cashier, assisted in produce, and then made my way to the Customer Service desk. I’m pictured here with Randy, who was the head of produce, at an event we attended for Kroger. I enjoyed the job and people and only left to have a schedule with set hours, as I would have to wait each week to see what shift I would be working for the following week. I’m glad I started working so young; it helped me build a strong work ethic.
Kristin Gleason: Most kids at 14 are babysitting or flipping burgers — but me? I was running an entire office. My first job was as the office manager for my stepdad’s rental company here in Mansfield. I handled everything from rent and deposits to payroll, maintenance scheduling, and even balancing the books. It was a crash course in responsibility (and QuickBooks!). A few years later, I even had to come back and fix the mess the next person made — proof that teenage me was doing something right! It definitely set the tone for my work ethic and love of staying organized behind the scenes. Beth Ryan: My most memorable summer job as a teen was as a server at the Ohio State University Golf Course restaurant. We were open to the public for lunch Monday through Saturday and served brunch on Sundays. We also catered special events in the evening, such as a “training table” where the Ohio State football players would devour a fabulous meal the night before a home game. These were very large men who would be served a gigantic meal and then motion a server over and ask us for another steak. The Ohio State trainers said that under no circumstances were we to serve the football players any extra food. I guess they had to watch their waistlines, too! It was fun to meet the players, and they seemed to appreciate our efforts.
Courtney Townsend: Back in the summer of 2017, I stepped through the doors of Kuhn’s Bridal and Formal Outlet for the very first time. The shop, owned by a close family friend, became my behind-the-scenes classroom in all things tulle, satin, and sequins. The instant a bride-to- be’s face lit up as she slipped into her dream dress, I realized this job was anything but ordinary. Some days, I’d guide hopeful customers through racks upon racks of lace and chiffon, searching for “the one” that would make her heart flutter as she walked down the aisle. Other afternoons, I’d find myself elbow-deep in glossy catalogs, passionately debating with the team over whether a particular design was an absolute must-have or a total fashion faux pas. Our arguments over “ugly” dresses could rival even the liveliest courtroom banter! Even now, I still occasionally slip back into Kuhn’s on weekends and during the summer months. Whether I’m offering dress-fitting tips, catalog critiques, or simply sharing a laugh over the poofiest prom gowns, I always leave with a smile!
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Top 10 Classic Summer Jobs Timeless Gigs That Taught Us Responsibility, Hustle, and Independence
Mexican Street Corn Dip
Some jobs just are summer. Whether scooping ice cream or lifeguarding at the pool, classic summer gigs have shaped generations of young workers. They’re the first taste of a paycheck — and often the first lesson in patience, work ethic, and customer service. Here are 10 of the most iconic summer jobs, in no particular order.
Hillary was first served this dip at a friend’s house. The recipe comes from Half Baked Harvest, a great website for delicious dishes. It is the quintessential summertime dip.
Babysitter: The ultimate entry-level job. Babysitting teaches responsibility, trustworthiness, and how to survive “Frozen” on repeat.
INGREDIENTS • 2 tbsp chili powder • 2 tsp smoked paprika • 1/2–2 tsp cayenne pepper, to taste • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 1 yellow onion, chopped • 2 cups corn • 2 cloves garlic, chopped • Kosher salt and black pepper • 6 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
Lifeguard: Part suntan, part whistle-blowing authority. Lifeguards learn safety, leadership, and how to keep cool in the heat — literally.
• 1/3 cup sour cream • 4 tbsp salted butter • 1/3 cup olive oil mayo or plain Greek yogurt • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice • 3/4 cup crumbled cotija or feta cheese • 1 ear grilled corn, kernels removed from the cob • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Ice Cream Scooper: Hot days, long lines, sticky fingers, and sore wrists — nothing says summer like a double scoop and a sugar cone.
Camp Counselor: The gig where you’re in charge, but also kind of a kid yourself. It’s about teamwork, creativity, and learning how to manage 10 campers and zero patience. Grocery Bagger / Cart Attendant: The unsung heroes of the checkout lane. It’s where many learned to smile through anything and to never underestimate the power of an organized bag. Mower / Landscaper: Backyard side hustle or full-on lawn service — this job teaches discipline, time management, and the value of a cold drink after mowing three lawns in a row.
DIRECTIONS 1. In a bowl, combine the chili powder, paprika, cayenne, and a pinch of salt. 2. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until soft, 5 minutes. Add the corn, garlic, and 1 tsp of spice mix, and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the corn is softened, 5 minutes. 3. Reduce the heat to low. Mix in the cream cheese until melted and creamy. Stir in the sour cream. Cook until warmed throughout. If desired, thin with milk. 4. In a separate skillet, melt butter until golden. Mix in 1 tbsp of spice mix (you will have extra), plus a pinch of chili flakes and salt. Cook another minute, then remove from the heat. 5. Mix the mayo and lime juice with a pinch of salt. 6. Spoon the dip into a wide serving bowl. Top with grilled corn and drizzle the mayo and spicy butter over the corn. Sprinkle on the cheese and cilantro. Serve with lots of chips for scooping!
Fast-Food Crew Member: Quick service, quicker lessons in multitasking and patience. Plus, access to discounted fries doesn’t hurt.
Retail Clerk: Folding clothes, stocking shelves, and asking, “Did you find everything okay today?” A masterclass in customer service.
Amusement Park Attendant: From running rides to handing out tickets, theme parks deliver job experience and plenty of weird stories to last a lifetime.
Farmhand / Fruit Picker: Hot, hard, and humbling work. For those who did it, few jobs taught more about stamina and effort.
Whether you earned $1/hour or worked for the tips alone, these classic summer jobs helped shape work habits — and a lot of memories. If you held one of these roles, chances are you’ve got a great story to tell.
What was your first summer job? We’d love to hear!
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INSIDE THIS EDITION 2404 Park Ave. W., Mansfield, OH 44906 419-LAW-2020 BeSmartLegal.com
1 The Teen Jobs That Shaped Me and My Work Habits 2 Rinehardt Staff on Their First Jobs as Kids 3 The Thankless Jobs of Summer: Top 10
Mexican Street Corn Dip
4 Seeking Young and Eager Job Applicants
Local Businesses That Hire Teens
Mansfield, Ohio 1. Panera Bread — Offers flexible part-time schedules and on-the-job training; a friendly environment for cashiers and baristas. 2. Chipotle — Crew positions pay around $14–$15/hour, include training and staff meal benefits. 3. Pet Supplies Plus — Team member roles involve cashiering and stocking, great for animal-loving teens. 4. Five Below — Sales associate positions starting at around $11/hour, with flexible scheduling. 5. Gigi’s Tacos y Margaritas — Hiring dish washers, bussers, and hosts; a friendly local spot ideal for teens.
Columbus, Ohio 1. YMCA of Central Ohio — Camp counselor roles starting at $14/hour, with paid training and seasonal flexibility. 2. Bruegger’s Bagels / Einstein Bros. Bagels — Seasonal team positions offering $11–$17/hour and guest-service experience. 3. Dunkin’ — Multiple Crew Member openings; flexible hours and strong hourly pay. 4. Insomnia Cookies — “Cookie Crew” roles pay about $12/hour; fun environment and frequent staff perks. 5. Columbus Recreation & Parks — Aide and internship opportunities in sports, events, and facilities; excellent for teens looking to serve the public.
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