I hope everyone is doing great, and starting to think about summer 2015! I know I am!
Sadly, most camp people don't get to stay here in the camp world forever. Many of us will eventually seek a "real world" job. Whether you're looking for your ultimate career, or a part-time job in college, you're going to have to interview for a non-camp job eventually.
If you've ever done an interview with someone who has worked at camp, you've probably had that excited, passionate conversation about your experiences and how much it meant to you. They know how hard you worked. They understand the level of responsibility that was put on your 18-ish year old shoulders. They respect the words "camp counselor" on a resume.
But we are usually not so lucky. Most interviewers haven't worked at a camp. Hopefully their image of a camp counselor is someone fun and responsible, and not what they got from a camp movie (camp movies are awesome, but yikes, their counselors give me nightmares). So how do you explain all of the valuable skills and experience that you gained at camp? How do you translate 200 rounds of "Hermie the Worm", 60 games of Chicken in the Hen House, and 3 human sundaes into applicable skills for a store manager, or website designer? It's all about language, how you choose to communicate your skills in an appropriate way for the situation.
So what skills did you gain as a counselor?
Camp Language: I learned how to teach horseback riding/archery/games/etc to groups of campers.
Real World Language: I learned how to teach to a group with a variety of learning styles, and adapt my communication style appropriately.
Real World Language: I learned how to teach to a group with a variety of learning styles, and adapt my communication style appropriately.
Camp Language: I worked when I was sunburned/tired/had a blister.
Real World Language: I remained accountable to my fellow staff and campers by doing my job to my fullest ability, and did not let personal issues affect my work.
Camp Language: I learned how to work with other counselors.
Real World Language: I learned how to work in a team of unique personalities towards a common goal.
Camp Language: I learned how to work with a junior counselor
Real World Language: I gained experience as a mentor (and supervisor, if applicable) by helping a new camp leader build their skills.
Camp Language: I learned how to fix fights between campers.
Real World Language: I learned how to mediate disagreements and help both parties reach a mutual compramise.
Real World Language: I remained accountable to my fellow staff and campers by doing my job to my fullest ability, and did not let personal issues affect my work.
Camp Language: I learned how to work with other counselors.
Real World Language: I learned how to work in a team of unique personalities towards a common goal.
Camp Language: I learned how to work with a junior counselor
Real World Language: I gained experience as a mentor (and supervisor, if applicable) by helping a new camp leader build their skills.
Camp Language: I learned how to fix fights between campers.
Real World Language: I learned how to mediate disagreements and help both parties reach a mutual compramise.
And so on. It isn't about big words. It's about an honest, objective, and
professional description of what you can now do. What's important to remember is that everything you learned to do at camp is a skill you can use in your future career. Don't be afraid to explain just how much you learned, and how much value your time at camp added to you as a future employee.
