“Starfish has given my career path a whole new meaning. I have discovered a whole new interest, and I am now pursuing my career that way.”
-Former Starfish Staff Member who is an undergraduate college student
If you’re a psychology or education major looking for a summer job that actually supports your future career, Camp Starfish alumni want you to know something. A summer camp job is not just a job to pass the summer months. It is meaningful professional training and preparation that makes a difference.
We surveyed former Camp Starfish staff and asked them how their time at camp influenced their career paths. The overwhelming theme? The professional skills they gained as camp staff didn’t just help them land jobs, but they also influenced the choices they made well into the future.
Today, alumni are working as school counselors, special educators, behavior analysts, therapists, psychologists, and more. Many credit Camp Starfish as the place where they discovered their passions, gained the skills necessary to pursue them, and found connection and belonging along the way.
Camp Staff Describe Professional Skills You Can’t Learn in a Classroom
A common theme among alumni testimonials is that the professional skills they gained through being a summer camp staff member could only be found through hands-on experiences. Of course university coursework matters, but alumni repeatedly shared that Camp Starfish gave them practical experience they couldn’t get anywhere else.
As a camp staff member, you’ll actively build professional skills required for human-services careers like:
- Behavioral decoding and individualized support
- Emotional co-regulation and team communication
- Trauma-informed care and strengths-based practices
- Patience, adaptability, and problem-solving in real time
“I completely changed my major in college after working at Camp Starfish for a summer. I knew that I wanted to work with children. Working here taught me a lot of valuable skills in working with children, like different ways to build rapport with them, or strategies to manage challenging behaviors. Without Camp Starfish, I think I would be on an entirely different (and less rewarding) career path!”
— Former Starfish staff member now working as a BCBA
For many alumni, camp directly influenced their decision to pursue graduate school in psychology, counseling, or education. Camp Starfish alumni stand out in the application process due to the experience and professional skills they gained as camp staff and their ability to provide specific examples of how they used these skills while working directly with children.
Leadership Experience That Employers and Grad Schools Value
Camp days are dynamic, fast-paced, and deeply collaborative, which creates a perfect opportunity for professional growth. Alumni consistently described how Camp Starfish sharpened their leadership and professional confidence.
Camp staff develop professional skills such as:
- Leading small groups and supporting individual needs
- Collaborating with coworkers and sharing perspectives
- Communicating clearly with supervisors and peers
- Staying calm and effective under pressure
“After leaving Starfish, I started my career as an elementary educator in a high-needs, urban district. I found myself very frustrated with the lack of support given to students whose needs differed from the “typical” student. Rather than modifying the environment to fit the child, I was expected to modify the child to fit the environment. I knew I could do more to help students, so I got my Master’s degree in School Counseling. I now spend my days teaching social skills, helping students cope with difficulties they face in life, and working with staff, students, and families to support each child’s individual needs. I have a copy of the Starfish Tools on my office wall, and I use it all the time! I may have left camp years ago, but the perspective I gained from working at camp will stay with me forever.”
— Former Starfish staff member now working as a school counselor
These are the exact competencies graduate programs and future employers look for. At Camp Starfish, you’ll have clear evidence of them, and you’ll be able to provide extensive examples of your use of them during interviews and in resumes and cover letters. For more tips on describing your summer camp job to future employers, visit the American Camp Association’s blog post on the topic.
A Launchpad for Psychology and Education Careers
One powerful pattern in the survey responses was that many alumni said Camp Starfish introduced them to career paths they hadn’t considered before. Through daily work with children and supportive mentorship, staff gained exposure to the skills necessary to have successful careers in:
- Behavioral health and applied behavior analysis
- School-based counseling and special education
- Clinical psychology and therapeutic service providers
- Case management and youth development
“[Camp] set me down the path of working with kids and teens who have behavioral challenges because I saw how much need there was for support. And how many amazing strengths they have to build on if given the chance (like an awesome camp experience).”
— Former Starfish staff member who completed a PhD in Clinical Psychology
Even alumni who pursued careers outside of human services shared that the professional skills they gained as camp staff, like communication, empathy, and leadership, continue to set them apart from other candidates.
Why This Summer Matters More Than You Think
If you’re a college student majoring in psychology or education, your summer job can be more than a résumé filler. At Camp Starfish, it becomes:
- An applied learning experience
- An environment for professional skills building
- A summer of career exploration
- A chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others
“I learned so many skills at Camp Starfish that shaped me into who I am today. I gained so much confidence, developed strong team-working skills, and understood various needs of children. The experiences I gained taught me lessons in working with children, adapting to the needs of individuals, and how to tackle anything life throws at me. I wish I could come back!”
-Former Starfish staff member who is now a Marketing Executive
You’ll leave with stronger references, clearer direction, and professional skills that translate directly into your next step, whether that’s graduate school, your first job, or both.
Apply Soon: Your Future Starts Here
Camp Starfish alumni agree: this experience stays with you long after the summer is over.
If you’re looking for a summer role that builds real professional skills, prepares you for a career working with others, and challenges you to grow in ways you didn’t expect, now is the time to apply.
Staff positions fill quickly, and each summer cohort becomes part of a close-knit, mission-driven community.
Apply today and take the first step toward a career that matters.
