As summer rolls on, it has been fun to look at the social media pictures of folks out and about from parts far and wide enjoying that time-honored tradition, the summer vacation. And as I see these pictures and hear the stories, I am reminded of one of my all-time favorite jobs.

It was 19 years ago that I was sitting in the Student Union at Wright State University. I was in between classes enjoying a cold soda and a pack of pretzels. This day as I sat on the large overstuffed chair, there was a guy behind a table encouraging me to take a job. Not any job. It was a job of wonder and amazement at Cedar Point.

It would have been rude not to talk to the guy; we had already shared a fair number of awkward glances. I talked myself into just hearing the pitch; I was already happily employed. Well, 15 minutes later I was welcomed as the latest team member of America’s Rockin’ Roller Coaster as a member of the games department.

During the first day on the job, I was whisked through orientation, given the standard uniform of a green/purple collared shirt with matching blue shorts and the employee handbook. I was also given the name tag I was to wear with the name “William.” Which was humorous, because up to this point in life, very few people called me by my given name.

The best part of the job were certainly the perks. There is absolutely no word that accurately describes the absolute excitement you get when you live in an amusement park. There is continual, non-stop action. As an employee, we could ride any of the rides at any time, we were given special access to those places that sold $3 hamburgers, rather than the $11 hamburgers, and at night, we could literally have the run of the place, when park staff would keep the rides open well into early morning for employees to enjoy. We could take the $1 shuttle boat into Sandusky or for $5, you could get the island tour. Watching the sunrise over Lake Erie was always a treat.

One of my particular jobs was the “Guess your Age/Weight/Birth Month” guy. Which was an absolute blast, but also a challenge. As a well-identified introvert, encouraging men and women of all ages to come forward and actually pay to the target of my good-natured harassment was a challenge. But as I continually barked into the microphone, it quickly became second nature.

As I recall the stories of my time at Cedar Point, many are surprised to know that there is actually a great deal of training that goes with becoming a great emcee of the midway. We were continually quizzed on birthstones, which end up being a great way to guess a birth month. On age, we were coached to look at the knees; the more they sag, the older you are. On weight, well, you were on your own. Just remember, you want the guest to have a good time.

Folks often asked about the success rate, in all instances the success rate was clearly 100 percent. Not because I was that good at guessing, but rather because every time you handed me $3 to talk about a private detail of your life, I was always giving you a prize that was less than $3 and would probably be soon forgotten the next day.

But, of course, the best part of the job were the other college-aged men and women you would meet. Cedar Point attracted folks from all over Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia to work at the park. But the park also attracted a curious group of folks that made a career of working at amusement parks; some of these folks would work 60-80 hours a week for three months, go to another temporary job and be back next season for the same strenuous work schedule.

Of all the jobs I had, it was certainly the one that have created the fondest memories. In many respects, it was a whole different world and one that will always hold a special place in my heart.