Job 4 A Cause

This summer, I began my first job as a lifeguard, not to earn money for myself, but to support my nonprofit, Sight4Eyes. During the interview, I shared this mission with my manager, Tracy, who was incredibly supportive and appreciated how I was combining my love for swimming with a greater purpose. Throughout the summer, every shift reminded me that my work had deeper meaning, and each paycheck became an opportunity to change lives. Even my coworkers got involved, asking about Sight4Eyes and helping spread the word. The experience taught me that when you lead with purpose, others are inspired to join you.

Even though I’ve always felt confident in the water from years of swimming and playing water polo, lifeguard training surprised me with a new challenge- deep water. I had never gone all the way to the bottom of a pool before, and standing at the edge of the 16-foot deep end, I suddenly felt nervous. Swimming on the surface had always felt easy, but this was different. Still, I reminded myself I was safe, and even laughed a little inside thinking, “If anything goes wrong, I’ve got a whole team of lifeguards to save me!” Then I took a deep breath, went for it, and realized facing fears can be just as important as knowing how to swim.

With each passing week, I got more comfortable, thanks to the training and the incredible team around me. I especially connected with one of the older guards, a girl a few years elder to me, who helped me work through that fear. She encouraged me, and eventually became one of my closest friends at work. A lot of the connections I made were with people older than me, it was nice since I normally wouldn't get any classes with them at school.

Throughout the summer, I picked up real-life skills that I know I’ll carry with me. One of the most important lessons was learning how to solve problems quickly and calmly. For example, I was once assigned to close the pool and had to turn on the alarm system but I was too short to reach the switch. Instead of waiting for someone to help, I quickly grabbed a chair, climbed on, and turned the key myself. The pool photographer happened to catch that moment, and now it’s one of my favorite pictures because it reminds me how much confidence and independence I gained through this job.

Being a lifeguard for the City of Pleasanton has taught me countless valuable skills, and it couldn’t have been a more perfect first job. I started the summer with a goal: to raise money for Sight4Eyes. I’m proud to say I raised enough to fund an entire eye camp! But beyond that, I gained experiences that truly shaped my character. I learned how to manage high-pressure situations, stay calm when it matters the most, and communicate clearly with people of all ages. I’m excited to keep growing, both as a person and as a leader, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me next!