DAVID KOB
Staff Writer
I often hear grumbling about boring Malibu. The gripes about a lack of student-friendly activity and limited night life are understandable, but completely short-sighted. Malibu has incredible depth. Its roots are astoundingly deep. If you find yourself bored, get a job in Malibu.
I have had five different off-campus jobs in Malibu in my three years here, and they have been as beneficial as my education, not just financially, but with networking, friendship and social growth. The expansiveness of the Malibu work force will turn the bored, whiny Pepperdine student into a focused, appreciative individual with rare advantages.
Above and beyond the best job anyone can get at Pepperdine is babysitting. Malibu is interesting not just because of the extreme wealth but the occupational diversity therein. I know people who are babysitting sons and daughters of stockbrokers, CEO’s, non-profit organizers, actors, producers, inventors, artists, entrepreneurial doctors, agents and other interesting occupations.
That practically runs the gamut of available majors at Pepperdine. Someone of academic relevance is living in Malibu, and the best start to finding them is childcare even if you are male. For example, the father of the child I babysit just happens to be a well-known Hollywood producer, and when I finally got up the courage to ask him to read my screenplay, he was happy to do it.
If I did not babysit his son, that screenplay would have had to win national contests before it would end up in his hands. That kind of opportunity is collegiately exclusive to student at area Los Angeles schools.
The benefits go beyond networking. Although Malibu locals are sometimes rude to Pepperdine students, families appreciate and reward those who help them with their children. Gas cards, random presents, even vacations with the family can result from faithful babysitting.
This summer, the family I babysit for went to Greece for a month and paid me to house sit with a friend. What’s more, they live down the street from Britney Spears. My friends back home have not come close to topping that story.
Moreover, most universities provide an education and then leave the rest up to you. Pepperdine does twice that, providing education in the thick of wildly wealthy, interesting and successful families that welcome and reward your assistance with their children.
If babysitting doesn’t work out, try something else — a waiter, office assistant, heck be a security guard. Any job you take in Malibu will boundlessly benefit you beyond financial fervor, so forget those boring afternoons and experience what the Malibu majestic will purport in your life.
09-28-2006