I was able to be a teaching assistant in the classroom and then also a facilitator during activities, making it a fun summer job for a prospective teacher in the near future.
What I wish was different
Advice
Make relationships with your mentor, administration, and staff. Creating those connections will make the job more enjoyable and make you want to come back for next summer.
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One person found this helpful
Health Assistant
June - August 2018 • Santa Cruz, CA
What I liked
Housing and food was paid for.
What I wish was different
I wish that the schedule allowed more time off.
Advice
It's a good experience in a different setting. It's really good for making connections with collegues from all over the US and the world.
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Resident Assistant
June - August 2018 • Haverford, PA
What I liked
I liked working with the kids and giving them a great summer. The staff was also amazing
What I wish was different
The pay is honestly not enough. You work 18 hour days during the week and all 24 hours on the weekend, which comes out to $3 an hour before taxes.
Advice
Make sure you take care of yourself along with the kids.
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Resident Assistant
June - August 2018 • Santa Cruz, CA
What I liked
I enjoyed working with people form different backgrounds and loved the fact that i served as a role model to the kids under my care.
What I wish was different
Nothing
Advice
High tolerance and patience level and be open to differing opinions.
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Residential Assistant
June - August 2018 • Saratoga Springs, NY
What I liked
The work culture was generally positive, and the work was fulfilling! I got a chance to make real connections with my coworkers and the students we were working with.
What I wish was different
Advice
Keep in mind that this is more or less a 24/7 job. Downtime and days off are built into the work schedule, but you will be expected to be on call almost all day, including if a student needs something in the middle of the night. Only take this job if you are willing to put in the time.
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Senior Resident Assistant
June - August 2018 • Santa Cruz, CA
What I liked
I loved working with a cohort of adults who are equally passionate about educating and empowering young minds. My coworkers were hardworking and intelligent individuals, and I personally enjoyed managing a team and getting close with them in the workplace. The students are also incredible to work with. They are open-minded, incredibly smart, and they are curious about different subjects, cultures, and people. It's a fast-paced work environment, so there was never a dull moment, and the Santa Cruz location was beautiful.
What I wish was different
I wish that there was a better line of communication with the higher administration and the lower rungs of administration. For instance, as the Senior RA, I had very close contact with my co-SRA and the Dean of Students, but the channels between us and, say, the Site Director were loose at best. It was not always easy to hear from them regarding policy changes, and it was also difficult for us to enact policy change because we did not have communication with them.
Advice
The days are long and you have to love working with kids and have a passion for working with others. The unusual thing about working at a camp is that you have to create your own work-life balance. Sometimes you have to compartmentalize your personal life and your professional life, or you may get bogged down with work and stress!
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Teaching Assistant (Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School)
June - August 2018 • Baltimore, MD
What I liked
It was a great atmosphere, and I had the chance to teach teach younger students computer science.
What I wish was different
I wish the organization itself was a little more organized and coherent.
Advice
Always keep an open mind to opportunities. I did not plan on working at CTY this summer, but I have it a chance and it was an amazing experience.
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Health Assistant
June - August 2018 • Bristol, RI
What I liked
- My exposure to the health field through the mentorship of a nurse. I had to participate in the day-to-day operation of the site health office, keep track of students' medications and medical appointments, confer with parents, act as a liaison with nearby medical professionals, and provide support to administrative and other staff.
- Leadership experience (I was part of the administrative staff and help make some major decisions for the students)
- Flexibility
What I wish was different
Working hours were explicit from the start so that I could be mentally prepared for it.
Advice
Be ready to work 8hrs or more a day and don't be lazy and also if you are not good with kids, this isn't for you.
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Resident assistant
June - August 2018 • San Francisco, CA
What I liked
I got to interact with campers and staff from all over the world. It is hosted at cool locations, like San Francisco and Rhode Island. Was a lot of fun.
What I wish was different
Advice
Embrace the craziness that comes with dealing with groups of children and don’t be scared to spend your summer far away from home.
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Program Assistant
July - August 2018 • Alexandria, VA
What I liked
I loved getting the opportunity to work closely with the elementary aged children in my class, as well as to work with my fellow PA's and my Instructor.
What I wish was different
I wish the administration had been a bit more organized
Advice
Be prepared to be on your feet all day!
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Instructor
June - August 2019 • Collegeville, PA
What I liked
Working with the kids and sharing my interest in robotics and programming.
What I wish was different
The relationship with administration was sometimes difficult. The schedule was pretty grueling as well.
Advice
Be prepared. Have a lot of class material to work with but also be willing to be flexible with your students.
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Health Assistant
June - July 2019 • Lancaster, PA
What I liked
I enjoyed the opportunity to put clinical work into practice in a completely different environment than what I am used to. The co-workers and students made the experience very positive.
What I wish was different
I was dramatically overworked. Only one day off for the entire month of work with little to no sleep in between shifts.
Advice
Go in with an open mind and a strong will.
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Chemistry Teaching Assistant
June - August 2018 • Los Angeles, CA
What I liked
-I got to see what it was like to work as a TA in a different campus, for a different program, for younger students
-It allowed me to discern whether or not I wanted to pursue teaching in the future
-Getting to work with a diverse group of individuals
-Great opportunity to live and work outside of Santa Clara
What I wish was different
Advice
-If an employer visits your campus you should make an effort to drop by and meet them, even if it's just for a while. Make sure to follow up with a thank you email.
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Resident Assistant
June - July 2018 • Baltimore, MD
What I liked
I loved the environment that the staff built with the students and the faculty. Everyone was positive and passionate about what they did.
What I wish was different
The length. I wish the program was a little longer, because it is such an amazing experience.
Advice
Have fun and make connections.
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Young Student Teaching Assistant
June - August 2019 • Bristol, RI
What I liked
It was a really fun atmosphere. Most of the kids were super excited to be there, and I got to have fun because I worked with the young students (YS) building Lego robots. As a YS TA, I did not have classes at night so I could pretty much do anything after that point as long as I prepared for the next day's materials. I met so many awesome people from all over the country, and everyone was so interested in the work they were doing. I also I worked on the beautiful campus of Roger Williams University, with water front access. We would occasionally go kayaking right on campus, and on the weekends when it was warm we would go to the beaches and see Block Island once or twice. We also went down for the Fourth of July festivities in Bristol after classes.
What I wish was different
There is nothing I wish was different.
Advice
I would highly recommend choosing the Bristol location if possible. It's not like any other summer camp out there.
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Teaching Assistant
June - August 2019 • Carlisle, PA
What I liked
I loved the environment and the ability to work closely with both the students and the rest of the teaching staff. I really got to see the students learn and grow throughout the program. Overall I really enjoyed it.
What I wish was different
The days were, admittedly, very long for TAs, and it is also quite a bit of work compared to the salary.
Advice
If you're thinking about it and have the time and ability, go for it. Engage with your students, go to the dances, and make the most of it.
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Resident Assistant
July - August 2019 • Lancaster, PA
What I liked
I loved the environment and people I worked with. Everyone was so welcoming and unique.
What I wish was different
I wish I had been there for both summer sessions or just the first one so I didn't have to "catch up" during the second session.
Advice
Make sure your residents feel comfortable around you and are enjoying their experience. Go to their classes, they love when you come and participate in their classes! The students get tired so give them down time, they ask for it a lot.
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RA
June - August 2020 • Bristol, RI
What I liked
I liked having gainful employment and my coworkers
What I wish was different
The organization itself is a mess.
Horrible bosses and horrible hours. Too much work for such low pay.
Advice
Kids are great, bosses not so much.
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Resident Assistant
June - August 2022 • Los Angeles, CA
What I liked
I liked interacting with the children and seeing the cool things they did in class.
What I wish was different
I wish it had been longer and a little more organized but it was the first year back since the pandemic.
Advice
This is a great way to get experience working with youth and adolescents. There are many connections that can be made as well as being in a diverse environment.
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Teaching Assistant
June - August 2022 • Santa Cruz, CA
What I liked
The things I enjoyed most about this job were the housing facilities and the events they planned for the children outside of their everyday class schedule because it allowed us as staff to better know the students outside of a learning environment with activities that promoted teamwork and problem-solving. In addition, it helped me network with my fellow peers who work in many fields and come from various places in the country.
What I wish was different
I wish the location could have been closer to my home. The campus I worked was over 2,000 acres and it was extremely hard to get around on foot appreciated the experience of flying out to a state I'd never been to before and I am grateful for that opportunity, it was a challenge I had overcome.
Advice
If given the opportunity, take part in this program. If not to help nurture young minds but for the relationship, you build with your fellow staff and co-workers who work in so many different job fields. You'll make friends and build lifelong relationships with people you wouldn't meet working most summer jobs.
