Summer jobs are usually a way to help a student pass the time and earn a little cash during the break, but for LBW Community College alumnus Trey Clark it is also a way to give back to the community.

Clark has been a lifeguard for the City of Andalusia for the past three years.

“I wanted to become a lifeguard because I love working with kids,” Clark said. “I also love being outdoors and this gives me an opportunity to give back to my community.”

He is going into his fourth year at Athens State University, studying physical education.

Clark said that the best part of his job is getting to interact with the public.

“Every day I get a chance to be a role model for kids,” Clark said. “Because we have to watch them all day, but in turn, they are watching us as well.”

Every two years, Clark has had to get his certification renewed to make sure that he is up to date with the lifeguard specifics.

“We have to go over all of the rescue techniques every two years,” Clark said. “We then have to go over CPR and first aid all over again. It takes about four to five days to complete.”

Watching several kids all day every day can get challenging, which Clark said is the thing he worries about the most during his job.

“I work swimming lessons from 8 a.m. until noon, and then Monday through Friday, from noon until 5 p.m.,” Clark said. “The most challenging part of my job is making sure that the kids are safe at all times.”

For any students that want to become a lifeguard next summer, Clark said they need to definitely do it.

“Don’t think that it is too hard of a job,” Clark said. “Even there it comes with a lot of pressure, the rewards that come with it are great.”

While he is at work, Clark spends most of his time in the blistering heat.

“I have to drink at least four to five bottles of water every day,” Clark said. “Also, while I am in between breaks, I make sure to hop in the pool to cool down. Hydration is the number one thing though.”