Private Family

Nanny

June - August 2018 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

I liked the pay and that my summer really felt like it was a break from school.

What I wish was different

I wish there had been a more formal way to discuss things such as payment and work schedule. When working for friends, especially as a young person, it is easy to be taken advantage of in terms of being respected as an employee rather than just a friend. Sometimes I would put in the extra work, expecting payment for it, and it would be taken as more of a favor. It is awkward to have these kinds of conversations and navigate the fine balance of being a friend and an employee.

Advice

I would say that you should try to establish a professional relationship with the person who hires you right away, especially if you know them in the capacity of being a friend. By discussing salary and a work schedule with them early on, expectations will be clear on both sides and hopefully both parties will try to respect them.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Nanny

January - November 2018 • Denton, TX

What I liked

What I wish was different

Advice

Establishing an open line of communication with the parents of the children that you are caring for is vital in having a positive experience overall.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Nanny

May 2018 • Phoenix, AZ

What I liked

Flexibility of job to work around my class schedule. I also did English language tutoring.

What I wish was different

Nothing

Advice

Find a job that you enjoy and that you will not have to bring home with you so that you can focus on school work

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Nanny

June 2011 • Tuxedo Park, NY

What I liked

I like the autonomy of my job, and the fact that every day you need to take the initiative to succeed.

What I wish was different

Advice

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Nanny

February 2014 • San Marcos, CA

What I liked

Flexibility

What I wish was different

How many hours I worked

Advice

Great application of my Child Development Major

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Au Pair

June - August 2018 • Cremona, Province of Cremona

What I liked

-Became fluent in Italian by the end of the summer -Gained English language teaching skills through leading daily classes to a family with six children -Familiarized myself with the culture of a small, rural town in Northern Italy -Traveling around Italy with an Italian family allowed me to experience the country with such a new perspective (less as a tourist)

What I wish was different

-I would not have changed a single detail of my time working abroad

Advice

-Make sure you are clear with your goals for the summer before you accept a position with a family. For example, I was looking for an experience that would immerse me completely in the language, and where I would still have the freedom to explore Italian culture and language on my own terms. When video-chatting with the mother of the family, she repeated many times that she wanted the experience of an Au Pair because she wanted someone who would simply be part of the family, and show the children a love of English. This turned out to be exactly what the summer was.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Home Health Aide

June - August 2018 • Portland, ME

What I liked

I really enjoyed this opertunity to work with clients in their home and help them remain semi-independent. It is such a rewarding job I am hoping to spend the rest of my life doing!

What I wish was different

I wish I could have spent more time with other clients. I really enjoy working with geriatrics, but I have only been able to experience a small scope of difficulties clients haves. I would like to have more expericances.

Advice

If you are not interested in geriatric care, this may not be the position for you. It requires a great deal of patients to deal with clients sometimes and you just have to be flexiable and willing to roll with the punches.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Nanny

July - August 2018 • Dayton, OH

What I liked

Everything! The hours were convenient, flexible, and I was able to schedule around my other job.

What I wish was different

Nothing -- I loved every second.

Advice

Find the family that fits you!

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Summer Nanny

July - September 2018 • Greenwich, CT

What I liked

Great pay, varied work, got to work with children. Got to spend all day outdoors.

What I wish was different

Difficult to be with children all day.

Advice

If you want to earn great money and have a fun outdoor summer, be a summer nanny!

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Nanny

January 2017 - August 2018 • Columbia, SC

What I liked

I loved the kids.

What I wish was different

Nothing at all.

Advice

Be ready to give up your entire summer.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Nanny

May 2016 • Georgetown, TX

What I liked

Working with the children

What I wish was different

More hours

Advice

Nothing

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Nanny

May 2016 • Madison, WI

What I liked

What I wish was different

Advice

It gave me invaluable practice in work ethic, scheduling and the experience of a 9-5 weekly job even though it didn't pertain to my potential career field.

Be the first to mark this as helpful