As summer comes to an end and pools begin to close, seasonal employees say goodbye to jobs no longer needed, for the time being.
Out of over 200 lifeguards for Reston Association, a large number are, or were, students at South Lakes, the only high school in Reston.
For most Reston pools, the last business day was Labor Day, if not already close the week before. It’s common for lifeguards in Reston to be high school or college students, and though it’s rare, there are lifeguards that are college graduates.
However the college graduates working as seasonal employees are typically in a higher management level position, such as office staff or unit managers, with the opportunity to earn $13 or more per hour.
According to Reston Aquatics Assistant Willa Whitacre, the starting lifeguard wage of $9 appeals more high school students than it would a college graduate.
“This hourly wage is not as attractive to college grads as it is to current high school and college students because they have degrees that can earn a higher wage at different jobs,” said Whitacre. “All the while these individuals are always seeking out full time employment in their given field but coming back to RA is an easier transition than leaving college and going right into a year round professional capacity position – assuming they can find a job in our current economy.”
Current student lifeguards share Whitacre’s view including senior Dylan Clark, who plans on lifeguarding three more years.
“I will probably lifeguard until I’m a senior or junior in college,” said sophomore lifeguard Erin Persil.
Others, such as senior Abby Reed, plans to guard for only one more year while junior Liza Karras expects to get a ‘real job’, when she gets to college.
There are chances to advance in the lifeguard field, the most common are getting a Water Safety Instructor License, more commonly known as WSI, or getting a pool operator license, commonly known as “ops.”
“I love teaching swim lessons because all the kids are so genuinely excited to learn that it makes my job fun and easy,” said Reed. “It’s sometimes difficult with kids that are scared, but so rewarding when progress is made.”
Although the minimum age to get a lifeguarding certificate is 15, there is an introduction to lifeguarding program called Guard Start, which starts students at 14.
“I love lifeguarding,” said junior Alex Vagonis. “The best part of this summer was my staff. Working with them was amazing.”
Vagonis was a lifeguard at Lake Thoreau pool and recently got her operating license.
“As a lifeguard one can take pride in knowing that they have been trained to respond in an emergency and have the ability, and sometimes the opportunity, to save a life,” said Whitacre.
