Benefits of Lifeguarding for College Applications
If you're in the middle of filling out college applications, you may be wondering what you can do to appeal to recruiters. Colleges can be strict in the criteria they look for when accepting students, and those who have impressive credentials stand out the most. Even if you have the best test scores and highest grades, they may want to see more from you — such as extracurricular activities or community participation.
You may wonder how you can take on more activities when you already have responsibilities on your plate. However, the summer months bring an excellent advantage — the ability to work a summer job. Taking on a seasonal position is the perfect way to beef up your college application and your resume. A few summer jobs that look good on college applications include working retail, student teaching or lifeguarding.
Lifeguarding is a prime job for learning leadership and responsibility. Consider applying as a lifeguard for a local pool if you're curious about the position. Besides having fun in the sun, there are numerous college benefits of being a lifeguard.
Lifeguarding Skills Learned for College Applications
Lifeguarding is rewarding for many reasons, the most significant one being that you get to learn responsibility in protecting other people’s lives. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that around 236,000 people die from drowning each year across the globe. By being a lifeguard, you prevent some of these fatalities — it’s impossible to overstate the value of saving someone’s life. Even if there are no near-drowning incidents at your station, there are always other ways you contribute to a safe environment.
Leadership
As a lifeguard — whether you're the head lifeguard or take on a supporting position — you'll be responsible for the pool's cleanliness and visitors' safety. The same is true if you take a lifeguarding job at a nearby beach or lake. Wherever you work, it'll be up to you to take care of numerous tasks, including:
- Using your training on lifesaving techniques and tactics.
- Cleaning the pool or keeping the beach free of unsafe debris.
- Watching the water for people in distress.
- Teaching swimming lessons, if applicable.
- Working with others to achieve a common goal.
These tasks will teach you how crucial it is to practice leadership and take the initiative. If someone needs help or a specific duty needs completion, you can be the first to step up and take it on. Many people will look to you for safety, guidance and knowledge — do your best to be that leader for them.
Collaboration
Lifeguarding teaches a lot about leadership, but it also imparts valuable lessons about teamwork. You'll be working with other lifeguards who may be older or younger than you, with more or less experience. Everyone must know how to communicate and solve problems to keep pool- and beach-goers safe. Your station may require lifeguards to have a rotational schedule, allowing one to step in for the other to avoid fatigue.
Each lifeguard will have a section of the pool, beach or lake to watch. By working together, everyone monitors their respective area of responsibility and contributes to a safe swimming environment. Additionally, there may be times that require multiple people to conduct a rescue mission. You'll practice reacting to these situations with fellow workers during your training sessions.
You'll encounter many of the same collaborative principles during college, although with less urgent stakes. Knowing how to work with others can teach you how to get along with individuals from all walks of life. This quality can also increase your cultural literacy.
Flexibility
Lifeguarding means you'll be working part-time, and you'll likely have the freedom to choose your schedule or switch your hours. Flexible work hours can accustom you to the typical university student's schedule. Although you register for your classes in advance, you may not go to the same classrooms every day. Many colleges work on an A/B schedule.
Mastering this flexibility will teach you essential time-management skills, which you'll need to be successful in school. After classes end for the day, you'll have the rest of the time to plan for studying, socializing and taking care of yourself. If you can balance all these activities without burning out, you'll have a much easier time adjusting. Experiencing a rotation of alternating work hours after the more rigid structure of high school classes can prepare you for college life.
Professionalism
You'll need to learn how to keep your cool in stressful situations as a lifeguard, assisting people quickly and calmly. You may also need to use rescue gear that requires patience and knowledge to work with. This sense of professionalism is a crucial part of attending college, and it becomes even more significant when you enter the workforce after graduation.
It's not uncommon for college freshmen to experience culture shock at the difference in maturity level between high school and university. If they're unprepared for it, they may struggle to get along with teachers or other students who expect a certain level of professionalism in the classroom. Thankfully, lifeguarding is one job with college benefits that'll prepare you for this before you step on campus.
Your experience working with different types of people as a lifeguard will help you learn the advantages of professionalism before you get to college. You can put the lifeguard skills you acquire on your resume while applying to college because they are highly applicable to many professions.
How Being a Lifeguard Can Help With College Applications
Many colleges operate on the concept of "holistic admissions." That means they judge your application not only by your numbers-based accomplishments — like grades and GPA — but by your interests and activities. If two students have a 3.9 GPA, they may accept the one with 80 volunteering hours over the person with no extracurriculars. Similarly, they may choose someone with experience being a lifeguard over another who held a job at a café.
Most jobs with college benefits look good on a resume, but some can appeal to admissions counselors more than others. If they see that you've taken on a job of such high responsibility, they're most likely going to assume you are more mature than most of your peers. First impressions mean a lot when applying for a job, internship, university or any other crucial position. Just by putting that position on your application, you signal to them that you have experience many others don't, which also means a diversified student pool.
Many colleges establish diverse campuses to show they are inclusive and welcoming to all students. Plus, diversity can bring a better quality of life for everyone involved. Different viewpoints and life experiences can introduce you to lifelong, valuable lessons you may not have learned otherwise. Similarly, you can give others knowledge you've acquired from your time working as a lifeguard.
Your CPR and first-aid training can prove to be another college benefit, as you can quickly respond to life-threatening situations. Though these skills aren’t necessary for most students to have, they make you stand out among the hundreds of others without them. Doing activities that increase your chances of acceptance means fewer applications you may have to fill out. The College Board recommends students apply to between four and eight colleges. If you apply to more, it can get expensive with application fees.
Anything that lowers your costs and increases your possibility of acceptance serves as a much-needed relief during the college rush. You could even use some of your lifeguarding accessories during the school year — such as your backpacks and hoodies — to avoid paying more for new supplies. These small steps help you manage the costs of attending university, which removes one less stressor from your life.
College can take the uninitiated by surprise, but not if you know what to expect and make preparations. By putting your energy toward a meaningful summer job like lifeguarding, you can secure future success.
How to Become a Lifeguard
Now that you know all the benefits of becoming a lifeguard for college applications, you can determine if you want to apply for a lifeguarding job. Lifeguards are in charge of keeping people safe while swimming or playing in the water. A basic lifeguard job description includes the following:
- Surveying a body of water
- Enforcing safety rules
- Conducting rescues
- Administering first aid
- Monitoring weather changes
Additionally, lifeguards must keep up with daily opening and closing chores to ensure the water and lounge areas stay clean and safe. You may also provide swim lessons as a certified lifeguard, depending on your skill level and your employer's wishes.
Before becoming a lifeguard and starting training, you must meet the job's requirements. Make sure you're above the minimum age prerequisite when applying at your local pool, beach or water park. According to the American Red Cross, people training to be a lifeguard must be at least 15 years old by the final class. However, the age requirements may differ based on the location. Some places may require you to be at least 16 years old before you can start lifeguarding.
Other prerequisites include:
- Adequate vision and hearing: You need to have good hearing and vision to see and hear what is happening in the water at all times. Drowning can have subtle signs, so you must be able to look out for them.
- Physical stamina: Strong swimming skills are a must. You also need solid endurance to constantly be on your feet and lift people if necessary when performing rescues.
- Hand-eye coordination: You should have adequate hand-eye coordination. You'll have to jump and swim in the water with equipment to reach the person in distress, then you'll have to bring the person back to shore.
Lifeguard Training Classes
If you meet the prerequisites, you can sign up for lifeguard training classes to earn your official certifications. The classes will help you develop the lifeguard skills required to keep people safe. You can check your local pools to see where and when classes will occur. Training to be a lifeguard and earning your certification will offer an excellent experience you can add to your college applications.
Purchase Lifeguard Products From the Lifeguard Store
You can use numerous lifeguard benefits for your college applications — admissions counselors will have no choice but to recognize your strength and talent. All you have to do is take that first step by applying for a local beach or pool position. If you're interested in being a lifeguard, you'll need the right gear for the job.
Explore The Lifeguard Store's selection of lifeguard equipment, including swimsuits and rescue gear, to secure all the tools you need to be successful.
