In between studying for exams at Western Washing-ton Uni-versity at Belling-ham, Mount Si High School graduate Thomas Taylor treks home each weekend to round up customers for his upcoming summer job.

Taylor, a 2007 Valley grad and current freshman at Western, is a branch manager for Student Works Painting. As a novice manager, he’s in the preseason of his first summer painting houses.

The unique job gives him a chance to taste “the real world” while still in college.

“For me, it’s definitely an experience thing,” Taylor said. “It’s a resume builder.”

He’s hiring students, preferably young people who are just leaving high school, to help paint houses and drum up business during the summer months. Taylor’s area is from North Bend to Sammamish, and the season runs from the end of college, in mid-June, through Labor Day.

He’ll be hiring two teams of four painters, including two crew chiefs, and is looking for manageable, responsible young people.

“It sounded like something that would be interesting,” Taylor said. “It’s not your typical summer job.”

Taylor, 19, is the son of Peggy and Greg Taylor of North Bend. He is studying music and business at Western.

Contact Taylor at (425) 736-8675 or email to taylor5@cc.wwu.edu. Learn more about Student Works Painting at www.studentworksusa.com.