Summer break is a time when most students choose to relax, spend time with friends and unwind from the previous school year. However, students who possess extreme motivation or who wish to gain experience in the work world often attain jobs or internships.
As one such student, senior Kevin Damm plans to work at the United States Forest Service over the summer in order to make money and acquire exposure to the working world.
“My brother worked at the National Forest Service over a period of three years,” Damm said. “My parents think it is a good idea for me to work there, too. My mom will worry about me, but not enough to make me stay home.”
Since sophomore year, Damm has worked at three different jobs. His first occupation was at the septic company his father owns, Big Board Drilling.
During Damm’s junior year he worked at a machine shop called R & B Precision Machine, carrying out duties such as the cleaning of machines. Currently Damm works at Robeks Juice, a smoothie company located in Clovis on Fowler Avenue. Damm’s responsibilities at Robeks include serving customers, cash handling and making smoothies.
“It [working at Robeks] is pretty fun,” Damm said. “Only one person works at a time right now, because it is slow, and it gets intense when there is a rush. But business is picking up, so we will be back to having two people working per shift, which is more entertaining.”
Sean Patel has owned the Robeks on Fowler for about one year. Patel said he loves owning Robeks because he is a health-conscious individual, and he considers Damm a hard worker at his establishment.
“Kevin [Damm] shows up on time every day,” Patel said. “He listens to people well, has a great work ethic and is a follower as well as a leader.”
Damm lives on two acres in Fresno County on the outskirts of Clovis. He wears country-style clothes sometimes, right down to his beloved cowboy boots.
“Wearing flip-flops in the mud is not fun,” Damm said. “Until it is summertime, I will continue to wear my boots, which conveniently make me taller.”
‘I need independence’
Many students ? and especially seniors, such as Damm ? wish to get out on their own and live life. New freedoms become realistic as students move away for college or celebrate their 18th birthdays.
“I might or might not move out,” Damm said. “But I will most likely end up living in the apartment in my backyard. I want to experience adult life and figure it out on my own; I need independence, especially from my parents.”
Damm is planning to attend college after graduating.
“I will either go to Willow International or Fresno City,” Damm said. “I have to go to a two-year college before I transfer to a four-year college because I never finished Spanish II. I am considering California State University, Fresno, and maybe even Cal Poly.”
Damm looks forward to an action-packed summer as a firefighter. His duties will include fighting fires, as well as cutting lines, digging trenches and cleaning the forest by taking out brush.
“The Forest Service contacted my brother to see if he wanted to return for another year,” Damm said. “He said no, but told them I was interested. I would be on call and we would sleep under the stars in the mountains; it is a very manly job.”
Forest Service workers are required to try out for one of three levels, from light to moderate to arduous. As the levels increase, so do responsibilities.
Damm tried out for the most rigorous level, the arduous level, and succeeded. In order to pass the test, Damm had to complete a three-mile hike while carrying a 45-pound pack within the allotted 45 minutes. Damm finished with two minutes to spare.
“I was excited after I passed my test,” Damm said. “Now that I know more about the job, I am kind of scared of being burned alive and that I will not be able to keep up with the other guys. But I am really excited about the pay and the experience.”
