What’s a Real Job Anyway? Throughout my years in high school I have had the privilege—or perhaps the misfortune—of holding a job most people love to hate: ice hockey referee. I vividly remember one Saturday afternoon in particular. As soon as I met the coach for the visiting team, I knew it was going to be a long game. His hoarse voice suggested he had spent many years screaming at officials from his place on the bench,...

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A Summer Reconsidered I was going to be a lifeguard. At least, that’s what my mother always thought. After spending the lazy summer days of my childhood at the town beach, lovingly called the Grove, and then working my first job there as a swim instructor, we all assumed I would return the next year as a lifeguard. Yet, I decided to do something different. Sure, the idea of a regular paycheck was nice, as was the thought of...