Getting up at six in the morning to go to a school filled with young, screaming children – who demand every ounce of energy and constant attention – doesn’t sound like the most appealing summer job on earth.But for those who enjoy working with today’s youth, helping them to excel in their studies and develop and grasp concepts already learned by their peers, it’s a perfect match.

This is what Carisa Chadburn, a junior at Castleton, does for six weeks out of her summer with her job through the tapestry program in Rutland. Chadburn, like many other college students, had to find a summer job to occupy her few months off from college and to make some money the support her during the school year.

Some students, especially those local to the Castleton campus, find it easy to return, summer after summer, to a loyal employer who is always waiting for them come early May. Others though, must sort through ads in the newspapers and fill out numerous applications, hoping that someone calls them back in time for them to make a little summer money.

Out of 20 college students surveyed about summer jobs, only 11 go back to the same job and same employer each summer, with nine of those students living in the Rutland area.

Of the students surveyed, it was also observed that the majority of men and women prefer two types of jobs. Males tend to work on golf courses or for landscaping companies and females prefer to wait tables or bartend.

Kara Marshall, a senior from Maine, has worked for the past seven summers at Foster’s Downeast Clambake. Foster’s, a good size catering company from York, Maine, specializes in the traditional Maine clambake where everything is cooked in a large box over a fire.

“It’s pretty fun because the bosses are cool and the staff is all college and high school kids. We serve and make great chowda,” Marshall said in a Maine accent when asked about the perks of her job.

Marshall’s duties at Foster’s include managing, packing and running events – one of which was attended by George Bush Sr. and his wife Barbara – which she described as “awesome.”

Not all students are as lucky as Marshall in terms of returning to their summer jobs.

Nathalia Laisy, a junior at Castleton, will have to leave her job hostessing at a local bar in Maine in order to take summer classes. Though she won’t be bringing in the cash she usually does, there is an upside to not working.

“I do a lot of running around a lot and deal with a lot of drunk people and sometimes that can turn ugly,” said Laisy explaining that she will be able to enjoy her summer more this year.

But students Erynn Walsh and Erin Davenport, both Rutland County locals, bartend in the summer and love every minute of it. Walsh and Davenport enjoy their jobs because of the clientele, who are mostly friends and are generous tippers.

“It’s a fun job because it changes every day! You never know what is going to happen on any given day and that makes it worth going to work,” Walsh said.

While many students enjoy the perks of waiting tables and bartending, others like Chadurn spend their time helping children.

Heather Denardo, a senior at the college, works at Little Lambs Early Learning Center in Rutland where she “gets to play games all day long” and forgets she’s even working.

“My job is great because I get experience working with kids of all ages, from infants to 12 -year -olds. I love watching their minds at work,” Denardo said smiling.

Though a majority of women work with children or are bartending or waitressing, they are not the only ones taking advantage of the steady cash intake. Many of the women surveyed said they have many male friends who work at bars as bouncers or bartenders and make up to hundreds of dollars a night.

Of the handful of men surveyed though, many would prefer to be outside, doing something with their hands such as lawn mowing, raking or putting up fences.

KC McCormack, a Rutland native and Castleton junior, has spent many summers working for Park Place, a landscaping and yard-work company in Rutland. Though he works long days, McCormack is able to relax at night with his friends and he said he “gets a pretty good tan by the end of summer.”

And there is hope for those students who are staying around campus this summer and are not sure what they’re going to do to make money or pass time.

Many e-mails are sent almost daily by Crispin White, director of the Robert T. Stafford Center for the Support and Study of the Community, in which he posts job opportunities or training sessions.

In White’s latest e-mail, he announced that students can become counselors at Castleton pool and Crystal Beach “to help those whose lives are challenged physically, developmentally and emotionally.”

If being a camp counselor is not up a student’s alley though, there are also positions on campus, such as painting the dorms and doing maintenance work that pay well and offer very flexible hours. White can also direct those seeking temporary housing to someone who can help to provide affordable, comfortable solutions around town.

In addition to the odd jobs that come into the office for White to post, he can also help Castleton students locate jobs around campus that may relate to their major or minor. Working in the summer for an employer who hires with experience in certain backgrounds can really help students to possibly secure a career in their desired profession.

Finding a summer job can be difficult, but there are a few good tips to keep in mind when looking. The first would be for students to apply for jobs that truly interest them. Employers can tell when interviewees are genuinely not interested, and only want to get hired and make money.

Employers say it is also important to try and keep ties with them during the off months. Volunteering to help out or pick up extra months during Christmas vacation or spring break week is a great way to show the employer appreciation as well as how much the job is loved.

“Sometimes a summer job can be hard because it takes up time when you’d rather be out with your friends, but if you dedicate yourself and pick something you enjoy, you could end up finding a full-time position after college,” Chadburn said, commenting on her hope of working in the Rutland school system in the near future.