Important Life Skills You Learn from Being a Lifeguard

Becoming a lifeguard is more than a just a job and earning money, it provides you with skills that are transferable for any career path you may take – such as building confidence, leadership and improving your ability to work as part of a team. Take a look at some of the ways that lifeguarding can help you gain life-long skills both on poolside and outside a working environment:

Responsibility

Being a lifeguard requires a higher level of responsibility than most jobs. Not only do you have to be aware of your surrounding at all times, but it also involves being responsible for the safety of other people. This is an invaluable skill that will help you in any future job.

Problem Solving

There is a high probability that as a lifeguard, you will experience an emergency situation. This will require you to think on your feet. When dealing with high stress situations, you will quickly learn how to problem solve while staying calm. It’s an important skill you can use in any work or life situation!

Leadership

Experts agree that the best way to build leadership and confidence is stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things. Lifeguarding is the perfect job to teach you how to build these important life skills. As a lifeguard, people count on you for the safety of themselves and their children. So, being able to step into a leadership role is vital and may even save a life!

Teamwork

The Y is made up of people of all ages and from every walk of life working side by side to strengthen communities. It’s a place where working as part of a team and forming life-long friendships is part of the job description. The energy and positivity of the members and staff make working at the Y such a rewarding experience!

Get Qualified – It’s the perfect part-time job!

The first step to becoming a lifeguard is to get qualified. The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka provides the training, certification, and life saving skills needed to become a national lifeguard. Courses include those that require no pre-requisites such as Bronze Star to more in-depth courses such as Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid with CPR. For a full list of certification courses being offered at your local YMCA, please visit www.ymcaofsimcoemuskoka.ca/aquatics-certification.

We’re Hiring!

As the country’s leading nonprofit organization committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibilities, the YMCA offers more than just a job – it offers a career with a future and the chance to make a lasting difference in the community. Whether you’re looking for full time, part time or split shifts, the YMCA provides the flexibility to ensure a positive work-life balance. Lifeguarding is accessible to all ages and backgrounds.

If you’re interested in being a part of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka Lifeguarding team, we’d love to hear from you! To view the Lifeguard job posting, click here. For more information please contact Sylvia Pearson at Sylvia.Pearson@sm.ymca.ca.