I spend my summers as a swim coach and a camp counselor. I divide my summer in half and it works out perfectly for me to be able to do both jobs. When I tell people that I work with kids almost every day of my summer I usually get a confused look followed by a, "Why?" I always tell them that I love kids and I love working with them but here is a more detailed answer to the question.

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The way people look at me when I tell them I work with kids all summer.

I've always loved kids and enjoyed being around them since I was young. I knew from my first time at camp that I wanted to be a camp counselor and it wasn't until high school that I decided to also be a swim coach. I am so thankful for each opportunity I have to work with kids because every kid you interact with is different and every kid teaches you something new.

Growing up, my coaches and counselors were role models for me. They helped shape who I am today and that is what I want to be to the kids I work with now. I strive to be a role model, teacher, leader, and a caring coach/counselor for the kids I interact with because I know how much of a role those people played in my life when I was younger.

When I'm coaching I want to make sure my swimmers feel confident in their abilities and themselves. I want them to always strive to be the best they can be. How can they do that if they don't have positive coaches encouraging and teaching them? At camp, I want the campers to feel safe to step out of their comfort zone and try new things. I believe that if I can help a child accomplish those things then why wouldn't I work with kids?

Not only do you have the opportunity to shape young minds in a positive direction but you also have the opportunity to learn from them. Kids can teach so many things if you just take the time to listen. It may not be significant to your future but you can always learn something. For example, my swimmers taught me how to properly draw a unicorn and now the next time I'm asked to draw one, I'll know how.

The kids I work with also boost my mood every day that I spend with them. I could be having the worst day but as soon as I step foot on that pool deck my spirits are immediately lifted by the many smiling faces that are eager to start swim practice. Working with kids can be exhausting and tough at times but the lightbulbs you see go off, the smiles you can bring to faces, the lessons that can be taught, and the fun that can be had outweigh any bad experience one could possibly have with kids, in my opinion.

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Me when I see my kids every day.

All of these reasons have led me to discover that I want to be a nurse in pediatrics. While I am still unsure as to what specific field of medicine, I know that I want to work in pediatrics. Working with children in a medical atmosphere will be much different than the way I work with them now but I can't wait to continue to learn from kids and interact with them on a daily basis.

There is not one answer to the question "Why?" and I can't be everything I want to be for these kids. BUT I can work to continuously better myself so that I can give the kids I work with everything they need to be successful. Kids are the most important thing in the world and I believe that if I am offered the chance to work with them I should always take it because it will always be a rewarding experience.