Working my first summer at the pool caused me to realize the impact lifeguards play on the lives of the patrons that come to the pool, young and old. Whether it’s providing first aid to a little boy who skinned his knee or jumping into the water to rescue a drowning woman, lifeguards respond to various emergencies at the pool. Becoming a swim lesson instructor as well, not only did I have the responsibility of making sure these children were safe, it was my responsibility to teach these kids the major life skill of how to swim. Being in the water with these children caused me to have the humble realization that I was now a part of these kid’s lives. I was doing something that maybe these children’s parents are not able to do. The rule enforcement and educational role the lifeguards and swim lesson instructors had was what caused me to respect them when I was little. Even though every day at the pool isn’t action packed, the pool patrons trust that the lifeguards are watching them and protecting them. I believe that when I got my job at the park district, it was my transition from childhood to