Hey MTV, how's the beach?

By Joshua O'Connell
Posted Monday, June 17, 2002

MTV's Spring Break and summer vacations introduced me to the amount of fun young, fit teen-agers can have dancing near a large beach house enjoying the sun.

If only my life were made up of four months like that.

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While buff college students are dancing on a massive deck for millions of viewers, I'm sitting in a building, working for pay and saving up for my fall semester. I'd be willing to bet that while I'll be in better shape financially, my tan and body won't share that fate.

I'm not bitter about it though. I hold the attitude that work isn't a bad thing. Taking advantage of this time over the summer allows me to relax somewhat at school, when school work becomes the real focus, not the paycheck that allows me to order Domino's on a Thursday night.

The life lessons gained from college can extend beyond the boundaries of learning to live on my own and doing things like paying my bills for the first time. Internships, summer jobs and the like allow me to learn what it's like to hold down a real and steady job, even if it's only for a few months.

Learning now how to deal with a full-time, serious job is great for tuning myself for whatever job I get. Instead of flipping burgers, I'm holding down a pair of jobs that each allow me to get experience in areas that are compatible with my major and minor at school.

As a result, I'm gaining experience beyond the classroom that will allow me to be better prepared when I exit college.

I still get the opportunity to take time off and take a break, however. While I'm not getting jiggy on the beach, a recent vacation to Williamsburg, Va. allowed me to get my share of fun in the sun.

The short vacation teaches me to make the most of my brief periods away from work, an all-too-familiar sight once college is over and "the real world" begins. Funny how MTV's show doesn't talk about that.

So while I'm not getting a suntan or enjoying the clear waters and sandy beaches on a beautiful summer day, I am learning a lot about working on my own. I know if it's raining I'll still have something to do.

But if someone knows of a job that's willing to give four months paid vacation each summer so I can dance on the beach and work on my tan, please e-mail me.

This column originally ran June 17, 2002 in the Connecticut Post.

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