Now that summer has dwindled away into the Autumn season, I find myself looking back at the job that gave me so many opportunities. School is now in session, the park is only open on weekends, and workers that are 18 and older are working more hours to compensate the college kids, like myself, and even the young'uns that are 14 to 17. My third season came to a close in August, and it left me with a feeling of serenity. It was surreal, almost numbing in a way. The last three years of my life I have dedicated my hard work, sweat, and even tears to this job, an area supervisor in the merchandise department. Looking back, it caused me to grow in stupendous ways. I think it can help others too.

1. It Raised My Self-Esteem

When I entered this job as a cashier when I was only 17, I was a shy and small thing that could hardly talk to strangers, let alone lead an entire team. However, the more I worked, I was praised. I was told that I could do anything I set my mind to. I was named associate of the week, I received rewards, recognition, and promotion. However, of course our boosted image comes to a screeching halt because of something we did that failed to be charming. When I became a Team Leader, a supervisory-type position, I was no longer being positively reinforced. I messed up more. I panicked more. I suddenly felt that I could not be trusted with leadership authority. So, what did I do? I cried. My manager saw it, and hoo boy I was embarrassed. But he didn't scold me. He gave me a pep-talk, pointed out all of the things I did do, that I could fix. There were words that he said that will always flicker in the back of my head, that pushed me and still pushes me to this day.

"We need you." he said.

I was propelled into promotion my next year, this past summer, taking on a new realm of responsibility. Something had changed within me. "I can do it." I thought, "I can really do it." And when I thought I couldn't, I remembered what I was told. And I left this third year thinking it, remembering who I was and what I'd achieved.

"They need me."

2. It Boosted My Social Skills

Customer service is a real doozy. It REALLY is. You work with all sorts of people, interact with all kinds, and experience how loud a baby can cry until your eardrums combust. But that isn't exactly what I'm referring to here. I'm talking about listening to your guest's day, hearing their complaints and regards, working with a team of co-workers, guests, and your leading staff. Just in one season of working at this amusement park, I had gained more social skills than high school ever decided to lend me. I was making plans, working late with friends, learning to problem solve and communicate, and the most important? I broke out of my shell. When I realized my job had made me a much brighter and happier person, a weight was lifted. I learned that I was okay being myself because there were those that were just as shy as I was. In my leadership years, I found kids that were probably shyer than three of me. And what did I do to help them? I helped them the same way my superiors helped me. Helped them find themselves and break out of their shell.

3. It Gave Me the Best Friends I'll Ever Have

The subtitle says it all. In my three years in working at this place, I have made more friends than I ever would have thought was possible. They were so much more than just break buddies, or co-workers that I was forced to be with for like, 13+ hours a day. They supported me, they were real humans to interact with, and they were there for me every step of the way. They make me strong, especially combined with the experience this job has given me. We've all been through it, and we went through it together. Even now, one month after my last day, I look forward to seeing them in pictures that appear on Facebook, or on various slideshows that appear on my laptop's lock screen. They made an impact on me. They will be by my side for a long time. They are people that I will never forget.

While I know amusement parks of all kinds are different, and everybody has a different experience, I know that these experiences are not mine alone. I recommend working at an amusement park to anybody I meet. Yes, hours are long. Yes, sometimes the people around you become cliquey and difficult. But in the end, you walk out of those employee gates a different person than you were when you walked in. A good different. A strong different.