High Sierra Pools

Lifeguard

May - August 2021 • Williamsburg, VA

What I liked

Something to do, but I have been chosen to guard a small community pool that did not have a lot of people to watch.

What I wish was different

You can't choose the pool to lifeguard at only the locations near your area. I lived near Williamsburg so I lifeguarded Williamsburg pools only and it was sort of random. They give you a heads up calendar on their app on what pools to guard and their locations so you can prepare to find them although sometimes they may text you asking if you can do cover another guard's position for extra hours.

Advice

They will assign you a random pool to lifeguard at. You could get a small pool with no people or a large one with lots of people. If you get a small pool with little to no activity, bring something to do like a book, because it gets boring for long periods of time.

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Lifeguard

May - August 2021 • Washington, DC

What I liked

I liked how laid back everyone was at the job. It was perfect for a summer job- not too stressful but still enough work to keep me occupied and active during the summer.

What I wish was different

I wish I had gotten to work more hours.

Advice

It is easy to not take this job very seriously because most days, nothing happens at all that requires your attention. My piece of advice is to still be relaxed, but be certain that you know everything you're supposed to know in the off chance that something happens.

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lifeguarding

May - August 2019 • Virginia Beach, VA

What I liked

pay above minimum wage

What I wish was different

Poor facility management

Advice

Don’t work for high Sierra pools

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Pool Lifeguard

July - August 2020 • Ashburn, VA

What I liked

I enjoyed the flexibility and the amount of hours I could work.

What I wish was different

I wish that there was another guard at my pool.

Advice

At times it was difficult to get patrons to follow the COVID-19 rules.

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Lifeguard

June - September 2020 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

I got a lot of hours and I was able to work amid the COVID-19 pandemic

What I wish was different

I wish I had more breaks and wasn't the only lifeguard on duty.

Advice

It was a good experience in learning on how to maintain a pool, however, be expected to work a lot.

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Pool Lifeguard

June - August 2020 • Ashburn, VA

What I liked

I liked the wage and the flexibility.

What I wish was different

The administration was difficult to manage.

Advice

It’s an easy and rewarding job.

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pool manager

July - September 2020 • Frederick, MD

What I liked

Being outside all day

What I wish was different

More hours

Advice

Get pool operators card

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Pool Lifeguard

May - August 2019 • Falls Church, VA

What I liked

I liked the rapport I built with my supervisor and patrons and the useful communication skills I learned.

What I wish was different

I wish the pool managers were more understanding of my needs regarding the job.

Advice

Be prepared for all types of situations and keep studying the notes from the course. You never know when they will come in handy.

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Pool Lifeguard

May - August 2019 • Germantown, MD

What I liked

Fun summer job

What I wish was different

Patrons complaining about silly things

Advice

Communicate with supervisors about everything!

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Lifeguard

May - August 2018 • Chantilly, VA

What I liked

Lifeguarding was pretty boring, but since HSP employs a lot of foreign guys/gals in the summer it is very fun meeting people from places I've never met anyone before, learning about their culture, them teaching me some words in their languages. and I mean no offense but generally, the European folks are a lot more fun to work with, than the US ones who just use their phones during breaks (not all of them).

What I wish was different

pay, I know its not a hard job for say, but 9.50 isn't a lot, the only reason I did a 2nd year with them was because I had so much fun the first year.

Advice

Your co-workers make or break the job, having fun co-workers can mean to you enjoying your time while working or just lulling at your phone. Talk, joke and have fun with others rather than ignore them

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Swim Coach

May 2018 • Alexandria, VA

What I liked

Being a swim coach is very rewarding. It gives me a chance to help the younger generations of swimmers learn more about the something we are both passionate about.