Jobs They Wish Could Work Out : High Life: A WEEKLY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Some summer jobs pay good money, some pay with good experience. Some pay with headaches, grief and a promise on the part of the employee that next summer’s job will be an improvement. Still, there is room to dream.

High Life asks, “What would be your ‘ultimate’ summer job?”

“Safety-checking couches, divans and recliners.”

Christopher Coleman, 19,: senior, Sunny Hills

“To work somewhere near the beach with kids and get paid good money.”

Shannon Adams, 14,: freshman, Marina

“To be a senator. That would be a good summer job.”

Andy Keroles, 18,: senior, El Dorado

“Playing the baritone saxophone on the weekends in a dance band at the pavilion on Catalina.”

Eric Passchier, 18,: senior, Mater Dei

“Testing backpacking equipment in the Sierra.”

Michele Anderson, 17,: senior, Sunny Hills

“A lifeguard at the beach.”

Ari Strauss, 18,: senior, Huntington Beach

“To work as a chef’s hand on a cruise ship that was touring the world.”

Karra Stokes, 16,: sophomore, Edison

“A sky-diving instructor, because it is something different every day.”

Mark Chandronait, 19,: senior, Huntington Beach

“Touring the world with renegade game show hostesses and unclaimed prizes.”

Joe Brockett, 18,: senior, Sunny Hills

“A chauffeur for a big movie star.”

Jason Chism, 17,: senior, Brea Olinda

“Be a part of the World Health Organization and go to Africa or even Somalia.”

James Huang, 18,: senior, University

“To be a counselor at a camp, because I like working with kids and I enjoy the outdoors.”

Rachael Holt, 16,: junior, Capistrano Valley

“Getting paid for doing absolutely nothing!”

Katie DeGraffenreid, 18,: senior, Buena Park

“To get paid a lot for doing a little.”

Jody Caruso, 18,: senior, El Dorado

“An activities director at a resort at Mazatlan.”

Scott Perez, 17,: senior, University

“To be a subject in a dream study where I would be paid to sleep.”

Christopher Morgan, 17,: senior, Mater Dei

“Being paid to fish in Alaska.”

Jacob Coner, 17,: junior, El Dorado

“Being in Europe as an intern at a business.”

Stephanie Mixon, 18,: senior, Mater Dei

“A Nordstrom personal shopper.”

Jennifer Schoen, 16,: junior, Brea Olinda

“To work for any environmental services, to help keep the environment clean. I would also like to work with animals and marine life.”

Sima Aboughazaleh, 16,: sophomore, San Clemente

“To work at one of the baby-sitting centers that take kids to amusement parks and fun places, because I love kids.”

Matt Mushot, 16,: sophomore, Edison

“An internship abroad, so I can travel.”

Jolene De Leon, 18,: senior, Brea Olinda

“To work as an intern at an advertising agency. I will be fulfilling that dream this summer.”

Erin Kelley, 18,: senior, Trabuco Hills

“A lifeguard on the beach all summer so I can get a tan and meet guys.”

Laura Jeffries, 16,: sophomore, Capistrano Valley

“A deckhand on a boat because you can be one with nature.”

Dave Mack, 17,: senior, Huntington Beach

“To work as a model and earn in a day what others earn in a week.”

Jennifer Kamel, 18,: senior, Trabuco Hills

“To work as a waitress. Besides minimum wage, you also get tips, allowing you to make more money.”

Christie Humel, 18,: senior, Trabuco Hills

“To be a camp counselor for a group of disadvantaged or disabled kids.”

Kory O’Rourke, 17,: senior, Marina

“To do what I want, when I want. To be me and get paid for it.”

Ramey Baker, 17,: senior, Buena Park

“To work at a beach club.”

Erin Pritzos, 15,: freshman, Marina

“To be a water boy for the Buffalo Bills. It would be a chance to be around Thurman Thomas, one of the best running backs in the world.”

Brandon Nybakken, 18,: senior, San Clemente

“At this point of job searching in my life, any job would be my ultimate job.”

Brooke Weaver, 17,: junior, Edison

“To work in San Diego as a bouncer at a nightclub.”

Brian Bolger, 17,: junior, Trabuco Hills

Hot Topic for June 17:

What is Orange County’s best beach and why?

Responses were gathered by Yana Yanovsky (Edison), Mandi Hernandez (San Clemente), Nate Barksdale (Sunny Hills), Veronica Lee (Marina), Michele Hainley (Trabuco Hills), Hallie Kim (Brea Olinda), Caroline Lynch (Mater Dei), Eileen Hsu (University), Sunshine Arena (El Dorado), Morgan Howard (Huntington Beach), Julie Kim (Capistrano Valley) and Sam Kang (Buena Park).