Courtney Alessandrini
Senior, marketing
Have you ever had a bad summer job, and why would you say it was bad?
Hmm…I worked at Cold Stone. That was pretty bad. I had a terrible manager and it was always super busy. Cleaning after was also the worst. There was always soggy fruit everywhere and the wafflebowl maker was bad because the batter always refused to come off.
Why did you choose this job?
My best friend worked there at the time.
How long did you work there, and how old were you?
I only worked there a summer. I was 18 years old.
Jeremy Miller
Senior, television and digital media production
Have you ever had a bad summer job, and why would you say it was bad?
Yes, at one point I worked for a restaurant called Mr. Burger. I made less than minimum wage while hauling dishes to and from the kitchen all day. Also, I often had to pick up children’s spilled meals.
Why did you choose this job?
I applied there because my parents knew the owner of the restaurant, and so when they needed people for the job it was just a given that I’d get the job. Little did I know that they valued the trash on their floor more than their workers.
How long did you work there, and how old were you?
I worked there for two months, June until the end of July, at the age of 16.
Camille Brillinger,
First-year nursing student
Have you ever had a bad summer job, and why would you say it was bad?
Honestly, the worst is probably cleaning sewer drains with my dad. He’s a self-employed plumber. Any other work I do with him is fine. The sewers are just gross. Sometimes the sewer drains get clogged with roots and dirt (among other things), so we use a special machine that goes down the drain and cleans it out. Only we have to get it back out sometime, so I usually end up running it and getting it to coil up again, kind of like the roter rooter guys.
Why did you choose this job?
I got the job through my dad. Sometimes during the summer he needs help, so my brothers and I take turns working with him.
How long did you work there, and how old were you?
I was 14 when I started and still work there five years later.
Jordan White
Junior, facility management
Have you ever had a bad summer job, and why would you say it was bad?
Define “bad.” I’ve worked everything from shitty restaurants to gas stations to fast food. Basically any job you can picture a teenager having, I’ve been there. I mean, cherry shaking was about as bad as it got; 10 hours a day in the blistering, humid summer air, pulling around a tarp kind of sucked.
Why did you choose that job?
It was either that or prostitution to pay for my meth addiction. But on serious note, it was the only thing available to me at the time. I was sitting around doing nothing at home so I figured I might as well make some money when the opportunity was presented.
How long did you work there, and how old were you?
That only lasted a few weeks, and I think I was 15.