Throughout the summer, working opportunities can be a educational experience for students to learn about the real world, this understanding is not only useful in later life, but can also prove a backing for future job opportunities.

Senior Derek O?Brien was a cleanup boy at Maaco this summer. He does not intend to continue into the school year and does not know what his future career may be. This was not O?Brien?s first job he previously worked at Quiznos sandwiches.

?There are 50 different sandwiches you have to learn to make,? O?Brien said, ?and then the customers are still unappreciative. This made me realize, I don?t want to find a job in customer service.?

Over the summer fellow senior, Mike Prentice, worked as a file clerk at the law firm of McCormick Barstow LLP. He found the job after a lawyer called this campus searching for office help.

?It was like a million degrees and seemed like I was in an oven,? Prentice said. ?Those big aluminum buildings actually make it hotter inside than out and it was really hot outside.?

Although Prentice found difficulty in coping with the temperature, he believes taught him responsibility through commitment and produces cash.

Some students like junior Ani Paparigian, find jobs through family connections. Paparigian developed people skills while working for her mom over the past three years.

?Besides saying ?hello?, learning to be polite to people is one of the most important traits of a secretary,? Paparigian said. ?After high school I don?t want to continue working as a secretary, but move as far away from Fresno as possible and go into fashion.?

Working with family is one way to find a job, but sophomore Malachi Romero worked for them. He mowed various lawns a total of eighteen times over the summer and shredded family documents, which took from up from three hours to accomplish.

?I learned how to work for my money,? Romero said. ?Three hours of just sitting the shredding. I didn?t really enjoy it; I just did it to get the money.?

Principal Gary Schultz believes grades suffer if students have jobs during the school year. Despite this Principal Schultz has written and called in thousands of recommendations; however he believes that just putting yourself out there is the best way to get a job.

?The newspaper, applications, job interviews and showing up are some of the best ways,? Schultz said, ?but occasionally someone calls asking for a students help, like a lawyer who needs some filing or an office that needs a receptionist.?

For available job opportunities check out
snagajob.com or bygpub.com.