Tips for a successful career: Dress to impress, show up on time, be open, be computer savvy, never daydream about summer days in the sun and never come in scared.
These are a few of the lessons picked up by veterans of the U.S. Army Europe’s summer hire program from past jobs.
Summer Hire 2003 is accepting applications for clerical and labor positions from Department of Defense family members ages 14 to 23. The paid jobs are available during June and July.
Daneetra Rae-chelle Frison, a 16-year-old sophomore at Heidelberg High School in Germany and a past summer hire, said intimidation is a big factor for teens when they start working with adults. But the youth soon learn adults “treat you just like you’re a new employee. As if you’re a permanent person there, not a child in for the summer,” she said.
Once you get past waking up early during the summer months and learning how to fight the ho-hum of daily office life, that’s when the perks come in, she said.
“When I was an eighth-grader and I saw all the money I got, I was like ‘Wow, no eighth-grader makes this much money,’ ” said Daneetra, who plans on sticking to computer-based office jobs, like the one she did for the past two years at the Civilian Personnel Directorate on Hammonds Barracks in Seckenheim, Germany.
She said she saves the majority of her money to buy school supplies and clothes at the beginning of the school year.
Others are not so impressed with the money, but admit the skills they learn are invaluable.
“I only get minimum wage. Then, usually I just blow it all on stuff like clothes,” said Dianna Henry, a 17-year-old senior at Heidelberg. “Having my own [bank] account has taught me to look for bargains, though. To make sure I don’t waste money on stuff I’m not going to want later.”
Dianna has participated in the program for three years and plans to continue this year.
“If you think about it, most kids my age spend their time flipping burgers. Instead, I’m learning office skills, not asking whether they want ‘fries with that,’” she said.
The program helps both the summer hires and various offices at bases around Europe during summer staffing shortages, according to Christiana Hudson, marketing consultant for the Civilian Human Resource Management Agency.
It not only provides on-the-job training experience in areas ranging from typical office work to outdoor labor, but also gives the young workers confidence in working with adults and money management skills, Hudson said.
CHRMA is accepting résumés through May 31. However, applications received on or before May 2 will receive first consideration.
Jobs run from June 16 through July 25 in most of Europe, except for Menwith Hill, England, and the AFNORTH, Netherlands, and Benelux areas. Those jobs will run from June 23 through Aug. 1.
Applicants should submit a Web-based résumé through the CHRMA Web site at www.chrma.hqusareur.army.mil. Instructions and details on qualifications are posted on the Web site.
