What is a good summer job for teens who are planning on attending college in the fall?
To help recent high-school graduates find good summer jobs, we asked recruiters and career coaches this question for their best recommendations. From restaurant jobs to running a produce stand to finding a job in your future industry, there are several summer jobs that may help college-bound teens earn some money, gain valuable exposure and acquire some transferable skills that will serve them well in the future.
Here are 12 summer jobs for college-bound teens in 2022:
- Restaurant Jobs
- Valet
- Social Media Editor
- Landscaping
- Retail Jobs
- Summer Camp Counselor
- Babysitting
- Run a Produce Stand
- Dog Walking
- Recreation Center Jobs
- Realty Office Assistant
- A Job in Your Future Industry
Restaurant Jobs
Working at a restaurant is a great summer job for a college-bound student. Summer is a busy time for dining, so tips stack up quickly. The personal interactions of a restaurant also provide important socialization skills for young adults. Because a restaurant often has a young and energetic staff, there is a great opportunity to make new friends and work in a fast-paced environment. On the other hand, learning to deal with difficult managers, coworkers, or customers will provide vital lessons in how to practice patience, humility, and handle conflict.
dan potter, CRAFTD
Valet
Rising college students should consider being a valet for the summer. Valets are usually a role associated with the service and hospitality industry. Being a valet does not mean that the student has to be interested in a service or hospitality career. However, it is a great role to gain some experience in the short term. Hospitality jobs often require knowledge of customer service which is valuable information in essentially every industry. Knowing interpersonal skills and how to interact with customers will be useful to students in their future careers. Valet is one of the roles in the hospitality industry that offers major opportunities for young people to make connections as they interact with important customers from a variety of industries. Rising college students should consider being a valet for their summer job.
Liza Kirsh, DYMAPAK
Social Media Editor
Teens should consider becoming social media editors for some small businesses in their community. For example, a popular local restaurant will benefit from a digital marketing strategy or a boutique downtown. The younger generations have extensive knowledge of successful digital platforms and what content works for each. They can use this opportunity as a first step into the professional world before they attend college in the fall.
Sara Adam Slywka, Nestig
Landscaping
One good job for a teenager who will be collegebound in the fall is a landscaper. Landscaping is very steady work and easy to be trained on. Additionally, landscapers work seasonally, and coming back on breaks from college can be an easy arrangement. Working outside all day and getting some fresh air is a perk in and of itself too.
Kevin Callahan, Flatline Van Co.
Retail Jobs
Work in retail to gain organization and financial skills. Stores have to be cleaned to the best of their ability and clothes folded neatly so it’s presentable. In addition to cleanliness, sales associates are responsible for handling money at the cash register, which can help them with logistics and finances when they’re on their own. These skills are the initial building blocks for college students to survive on their own.
Jodi Neuhauser, Ovaterra
Summer Camp Counselor
College-bound teenagers make great summer camp counselors. Mentoring even younger minds at camp is a great chance to foster and educate the next generation of citizens and leaders before a teenager ventures off to college. This perspective will help stabilize them as they transition into adulthood and look to their older peers for guidance. Staffing a summer camp is a wonderful way to practice leadership, celebrate youth, and make some money while you’re at it.
Thomas Yuan, Sanebox
Babysitting
A great summer job for teens planning on going to college is babysitting. While many think of it as a once-in-a-while type of job, an enterprising teen can make babysitting a full-time job before they go off to school. They would need to do some marketing on social media and flyers, and they would need to keep a calendar for babysitting appointments and obligations. However, a teen that takes on this job that way can earn thousands in summer from parents who work and need daytime child care, along with those who want an evening out.
Bruce Tasios, Tasios Orthodontics
Run a Produce Stand
Teens who want to go to college can test their entrepreneurial skills with a produce stand or pop-up shop. This involves getting produce, flowers, and other items from local farmers or craftsmen but these products sell well in the summer. These shops close up in the fall, so it would be a good fit. A small stand would give teens a chance to run a shop without a lot of extra expense. It could generate enough revenue to pay for college as well. Some teens have done it every summer for years, earning enough to pay entirely for their college tuition.
Michael Gorlovsky, Windermere Orthodontics
Dog Walking
A great summer job for teens who want to go to college is being a dog walker. It’s easy and a good option for teens who love animals and like being outside. It is also good for those who don’t yet have a car because they can focus on neighbors with dogs in their neighborhood. Those who can walk several dogs at a time can make good money. It will also give them a chance to do something that benefits their neighbors and get to know others in their neighborhood.
Fadi Swaida, Halton Village Dental
Recreation Center Jobs
Working at a rec center is a great low-stress summer job for teens planning to attend college in the fall. The money isn’t spectacular, but a rec center provides a good opportunity to save a bit of money for an upcoming higher education endeavor. Additionally, there are multiple positions to choose from at a recreation center, including a lifeguard, front desk receptionist, gym manager, or game room attendant.
Ray Leon, Pet Insurance Review
Realty Office Assistant
Realty offices can offer a good summer opportunity for students who plan on attending college in the fall. Realty offices are often in need of assistants who can help with daily operations. These positions tend not to require outside training, but they can provide a great experience in regards to an office environment and interpersonal skills. Rising college students may even be able to assist in showing listings to potential clients. Students can leave this role come fall and feel confident in knowing that they have developed a number of professional skills.
Katy Carrigan, Goody
A Job in Your Future Industry
Find a summer job in the industry that you will want to enter after your college life has ended. Seek a job that can give you hands-on knowledge and experience that will benefit you down the road. If you have aspirations of working in the social media industry, find any internship that offers you vital insights into the inner workings of those platforms. If law, medicine or finance is your calling, go to any law firm, hospital or investment group that is hiring seasonal workers or interns. Reach out to school counselors, professors, teachers, or anyone else who can help you get your foot in the door. Be on the prowl for jobs that teach you the nuts and bolts of the field you aspire to enter.
Mona Akhavi, VRAI
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