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Iona College student Nick Araujo is looking to put his swimming skills to work this summer.
Araujo, who just completed his freshman year at Iona, lifeguards at the Greenwich YMCA throughout the year. I like swimming, and I like being around the pool, he said. I used to swim a lot so its something I wanted to do.
Araujo is one of 15 guards who work at the Greenwich YMCA year round. This summer, many are seeking lifeguard jobs, says aquatics director, Jonathan Mayer.
I started to get a lot of applications last month, but I dont have a lot of room, Mayer said. Many of his guards work the full year, so he said he doesnt always need to hire additional people.
Araujo is one of the fortunate college students who has employment at a time when jobs are in low supply. In recent years, the job loss for young workers has dropped more than any other age group, according to the National Youth Employment Coalition. The number of employed teens ages 16 to 19 has dropped by 25 percent in recent years, and the number of employed people ages 20-24 has dropped by 11 percent.
As a part of training, all guards must take a 40-hour course, which is offered at the YMCA and at the high school.
Most of my guards have been here for at least a year, Mayer said, and he often hears from college students who have worked for him in the past who want to get their jobs back. Greenwich is an area with a large demand for lifeguards at country clubs or pools as well as at the Y.
Mayer said he understands the desire to get a summer job in a field you enjoy. Its something he did when growing up. Ive always been involved in aquatics, and [lifeguarding] is definitely one of the first jobs I had."
What kind of summer jobs are your kids getting? Is it hard to find a job?
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