Working at the state park you meet a lot of people. In this you learn how to talk to people and give directions, a large portion of those people have English as a second language. You spend all day outside and patrol the trail making sure that people are doing ok on the hike, physically, and are following the rules. You stay in shape and get to talk to some super cool people along the way.
What I wish was different
This job didn't leave a lot to want for. I worked with some great people and got to spend all day outside in the fresh air.
Advice
I would encourage people to learn about the area before working in a new place. Learn about restaurants to recommend, other parks nearby, and most importantly people will ask questions about anything and everything so just know enough about the little things.
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Beach Lifeguard
June - August 2020 • Sackets Harbor, NY
What I liked
Great management. It is a very professional environment and the team is very close. Weekly trainings in first aid, lifeguaring and fitness keep skills sharp.
What I wish was different
It is a great job. A little more time off or more flexible hours would be nice. The team is small so there is not a lot of flexibility in terms of hours.
Advice
Be ready to work and take the job seriously but also you will likely meet some of your best friends here
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Golf Course Laborer
May - August 2019 • Fayetteville, NY
What I liked
Early Hours meant getting out of work early. The people who I worked with were great and made the hard work fun.
What I wish was different
Early hours also meant waking up very early. I wish the hours could have been later.
Advice
Do your work. There's easy and fun stuff and there's hard and crappy stuff, but if you just get through the bad stuff, you can get to the good. Take this job as experience in hard work.
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NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Aid
June - October 2019 • Tallman, NY
What I liked
It was hands on in a beautiful outdoor environment.
What I wish was different
That I could work year round.
Advice
Its tough work. It takes strength and some endurance for some of the activities I had to do
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Beach Lifeguard
June - August 2018 • NY
What I liked
Great pay, great work experience
What I wish was different
Overly competitive atmosphere
Advice
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Beach Lifeguard
June - August 2018 • Wantagh, NY
What I liked
I enjoyed keeping the ocean safe and allowing for people to enjoy their time on hot summer days on the beach with no interruptions.
What I wish was different
More waves.
Advice
For the past 4 years, I have been a beach lifeguard and it has taught me a variety of life lessons. It taught me to take initiative and be aware of your surroundings. If a task is at hand, do it and don't wait for someone else to tell you to do it. It eased me into the fact that people are always watching you, so do the right thing and set an example worth looking up to.
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Beach Life
June 2017 • Hamlin, NY
What I liked
A very friendy work environment that offers opportunities for growth and advancement professionally.
What I wish was different
Better park maintnence, more resources and services available for patrton disposal, and informational services available for patrons concerning rules, regulations, and directions.
Advice
Stay prepared and always stay up to date on all your rescue and first aid techniques; you never know when you will need to use them.
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Conservation Steward
May - August 2018 • Castile, NY
What I liked
I loved that I got to be outside every day doing what I love. I loved being able to identify plants and trees and see how deer impact the forest understory. I also loved being able to test the water quality every week to see if the restoration project had an effect on the stream.
What I wish was different
I wish that there was more variety of tasks for me to do.
Advice
Make as many connections while you are there because you never know how they can help you in the future.
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Beach Lifeguard
May - September 2018 • Fayetteville, NY
What I liked
I enjoyed everyone I worked with and the job itself. I also got to work on y public speaking skills since we were the face of the park and patrons would come up and ask us questions about the entire park so we were expected to answer their questions.
What I wish was different
The weather this summer wasn't the best towards the send of the season, but other than that it was fun.
