Finding Motivation to Work a Summer Job

By Lorena Roberts on April 26, 2017

The semester is finally coming to a close, and we’re all anxiously searching for a job that will pay the rent this summer. Hopefully, you’re on the cusp of securing something that’ll financially put you in the black by the middle of August, when we’ll all drag our behinds back to class for 15 hours per week.

If you’re anything like my friends and me, you’re completely burnt out on school and sick of waking up and motivating yourself to accomplish your to-do list. Now that summer is right around the corner, you’re thinking you don’t really want a summer job; maybe you’re thinking you’ll be better off without one. Maybe you’re thinking working this summer is just too much and you really need a break. 

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But, honestly, how bored are you about to be after a few weeks of doing nothing? When your rent is due, what are you going to do? Here are some ways to stay motivated about your summer job.

Think about the paycheck

Talk about instant gratification. You won’t have to wait four years for this payoff; a biweekly paycheck is easily the greatest thing about working. Think of how instantly happy you’ll be when that paycheck gets directly deposited in your bank account. Then think about all the financial freedom you’ll have when your friends want to go to Sonic in the middle of the night. You won’t have to bum off one of them … you know, the friend who does have a summer job.

It’s adding to your resume

When you apply for a job, your (hopefully future) employer will be impressed that you didn’t just take the summer off and sit on your behind. They’ll be impressed by your work ethic and ability to keep pushing yourself for your own satisfaction.

It’ll give you something to do with yourself

Imagine sitting around all summer doing nothing. You’ll be bored out of your mind. It’s crazy to think you’re going to enjoy a summer full of nothing. And then you’ll make yourself feel guilty by knowing that you could be working and making money when instead you’re just wasting days away.

Network, network, network

Think of all the people you’ll meet during the summer that you’ll be able to utilize in the future. You’ll meet people who can hook you up with a job later on. It’ll be a good chance to collect some business cards and throw your name into a pool of people that’ll serve you well later on.

Job perks

Depending on where you get a job, the perks will vary. Working retail? You’ll probably get a discount. Office job? You’ll probably get free coffee. Working in a restaurant? You’ll probably get some free dinners. When you’re trying to motivate yourself to get a summer job and stick with it, think about the perks of the job!

You’ll make some friends … hopefully

Your coworkers could potentially turn into people you stay friends with forever … and you’ll look back on the summer and remember all the friends you made. It’ll be a funny story at a bar in a few years when someone asks how you met and you get to tell them all about how you spent the summer waiting tables.

Maybe just volunteer

Okay, a summer job would be perfection — and you’d get a paycheck. But maybe you’d rather just volunteer. And if that becomes your summer “job” then you can motivate yourself to get out of bed every day knowing that you’re giving back to the community.

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