A Lifeguard’s Perspective: How My Experience Shaped My Career Path

As a lifeguard manager, I spent a few summers ensuring the safety and well-being of countless pool-goers in Austin, Texas. While many may see lifeguarding as a straightforward job focused solely on safety, my experience working at the City of Austin pools turned out to be an invaluable chapter in my personal and professional development. From teamwork and leadership to problem-solving and managing large groups of people, my time as a lifeguard provided me with transferable skills that are helping me as I pursue my degree in Business Administration at Texas Tech University.

Leading a Team in High-Pressure Situations

One of the biggest challenges I faced as a Lifeguard Manager was overseeing a diverse team of lifeguards, ensuring that they followed safety protocols, and that the pool operations ran smoothly. Managing schedules, addressing unexpected staffing shortages, and coordinating between the team members all required a sharp attention to detail and quick decision-making. These responsibilities are no different from what business managers experience when they handle personnel and resource management. This job taught me how to assess situations quickly and lead with authority in high-pressure environments — skills that have been incredibly valuable in my coursework and other leadership roles.

Problem Solving and Resource Allocation

Beyond managing lifeguards, I was also responsible for maintaining pool facilities and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. When faced with issues like equipment malfunctions or staffing inefficiencies, I had to come up with cost-effective solutions that didn’t compromise safety or quality. From a business perspective, this experience sharpened my ability to think critically about resource allocation and operational efficiency. Whether it was developing solutions to address maintenance issues or reallocating resources to ensure safety, I honed my analytical skills and learned how to balance multiple factors when making decisions — lessons I’ve since applied in my studies of business analytics and operations management.

Customer-Centric Approach to Swim Lessons

In addition to managing the team, I also worked as a Swim Lesson Instructor, where I developed and delivered personalized lessons to individuals of all ages and skill levels. Here, I learned how to adapt my approach to meet the specific needs of each swimmer, all while fostering a positive and engaging experience. This role enhanced my communication skills, helping me deliver clear instructions while ensuring that participants felt comfortable and confident. Being able to explain complex concepts in a way that’s easily understood is a skill I’ve continued to refine, and it’s one that’s become particularly useful as I work on group projects and interact with clients in marketing.

Real-World Leadership and Teamwork

Whether I was working directly with the public as an instructor or supporting my fellow lifeguards as a manager, teamwork was a crucial aspect of the job. I quickly realized that collaboration and empathy were key to creating a positive, productive atmosphere at the pool. The importance of communicating openly, being approachable, and supporting team members became clear, and these qualities have been instrumental in my approach to leadership both in and out of the water.

Conclusion

While lifeguarding may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of skills applicable to the business world, my time spent in the pool has equipped me with invaluable tools for success. From leadership and problem-solving to teamwork and communication, the lessons I learned as a lifeguard have helped me grow both personally and professionally. As I continue my studies in marketing and pursue my career goals, I know the experiences and skills I gained on the pool deck will serve me well in the future.