One of the barriers students typically face when deciding whether or not to come to Summer Training Project is the issue of a summer job.
But we are blessed each summer to be provided with 40-hour-a-week jobs!
Where are these jobs, you ask?
Well, over the years STP students have been stationed at a variety of locations. McDonald’s, KFC, Chick-fil-A, Krystal Burger, BI-LO grocery, and Piggly Wiggly have all been options.
This year, the vast majority of our students are stationed at our most popular job option…
…Walmart.
‘Wally World,’ as some have nicknamed it, is always gracious in providing jobs for us. This year, about 50 students are at the Garden City Walmart, while another 50 are working at the Surfside Walmart. Our students make up a significant portion of their workforce each summer.
Students can be placed in nearly any department for the summer. Apparel, sporting goods, cashier, fabrics, pets, pharmacy, grocery, deli, bakery – you name it, at least one CO student is doing it.
Working anywhere for 40 hours-a-week can be challenging, and many find retail to be particularly difficult. Project is an overwhelming and busy two months, and interacting with customers who are often impatient to get out of the store and back on the beach can be challenging. It is another opportunity for us to die to ourselves in order to love and serve the customers as well as our fellow Walmart workers.
I asked a few students about their favorite parts of working at Walmart.
“It’s easily the people. I really like my coworkers. That can make or break where you work, and it’s a really sweet environment here.”
“I like working in Toys.”
“I look fantastic in blue and khaki.”
“The relationships we have built are awesome. I worked here last year and I was pumped to come back and see the people that I have been away from for nine months.”
No matter what department student are in, each individual has the opportunity to get to know Walmart coworkers. There are always sweet opportunities to show Christ’s love in caring conversation and acts of service, as well as occasions to share the gospel with our fellow Walmart employees.
It is such a blessing to have a job in general, and we are very blessed to have jobs while at the Summer Training Project.