Whether it's working at a beach, waterpark, or local pool I've been lifeguarding through most of high school and part of college, like most teenagers my age. Even though I have a love/hate relationship with my job, I’ve grown as a person because of the lessons I've been taught through countless hours of watching the water and administering first aid.

1. How to strike fear into children.

The best part of my job is getting to yell at children for breaking rules. I feel like a bad ass, and I know my co-workers love it too. Although I sometimes hate begin the bad guy, it's pretty great when I can shot a look and a slight nod of the head and the madness in the pool stops almost immediately.

2. How to rock the tan lines we get from our guard suits.

There's nothing like that tan line we get every summer. And no matter how much time we put into trying to even out our body's color, we're stuck with it all year round. But, it's okay because only true lifeguards rock the one piece tan.

3. How to avoid water.

If there's one thing I hate more than the game "Marco-Polo," it's getting wet while at work, ironic right? While it may be because we have plans after work and want to go somewhere without smelling slightly of chlorine for once, most of the time it's just because sitting in a stand in a wet suit is miserable. Guards will duck, dip, and dodge all over the pool to avoid water.

4. All of Red Cross's acronyms.

Because of the countless in services at work, I'm a pro. Try me. (Thanks Cheryl)

5. How to be a team player.

As a lifeguard, if you don't work as a team not only will you be miserable, but others are put in danger. This is a skill I will keep with me forever.

6. How to detect the slightest sound of thunder.

Thunder is a lifeguard's best friend and saving grace. Our hearing becomes bat-like once we see those dark storm clouds form in the sky.

7. How to save a life.

How cliché of me, but it's the truth. If I wasn't a lifeguard chances are I wouldn't know the proper way to do CPR, use an AED, applying oxygen, abdominal thrusts...etc. Without becoming a guard, I would've missed out on all the practice and situations that have been drilled into my brain that I will now know forever.

Even though I sometimes dislike being a lifeguard, it taught me all of these lessons, and more. Without guarding, my life would probably be a whole lot less interesting, and I wouldn't have nearly as many stories as I do.