Working during the summer (among other summer activities) before college is a good idea. Not only will you earn some extra money that you can put towards your college expenses, but a great summer job is also an opportunity to gain valuable work experience. Whether you take up a full-time or part time job, you will learn about responsibility, accountability, professionalism and money management. In some jobs you will learn to work as part of a team while others will give you experience in working independently.
Fortunately, there are plenty of summer jobs available and you are sure to be able to find something that is a good fit for you. When looking for a summer job, start by looking for something that is in or related to the field you are planning on majoring in. If you are planning on working with animals, working in an animal shelter or taking up pet sitting or dog walking jobs may be perfect for you. If you are considering a career in catering or hospitality, more suitable jobs may include retail sales or working in a restaurant.
#1 Retail Sales
Flickr user Thomas Hawk
Working in retail sales is the most popular summer job for high school students and for good reason too. It’s a relatively easy work environment and you don’t need any extra special skills to do a good job. The exact duties you are expected to do in retail sales will depend on the type of industry you work in. In general, working in retail sales may involve doing one or more of these tasks—stocking shelves, taking inventory, customer service, handing out food or product samples, operating a cash register, or conducting product demonstrations.
In addition to perks such as discounted merchandise, taking up a job in retail sales hones your organizational skills, and teaches you money management, responsibility and dealing with customers.
#2 Camp Counselor
Flickr user Camp ASCCA
This is an excellent job idea for anyone who loves working outdoors and who is looking to strengthen their leadership skills. Attending a camp during the summer is a hugely popular activity and camp organizers are always on the lookout for high school students to assist with different activities and monitoring the kids. Not only will you earn money as a camp counselor but you will also develop some valuable transferable skills, from communication and leadership skills to organizational and conflict resolution skills. You will also get the satisfaction of knowing that you made a difference to a few kids’ lives within that short time that you spent with them.
#3 Helping Out At An Animal Shelter
Flickr user Leo Rodman
Working at an animal shelter is the perfect summer job for someone who loves animals and would like to do their bit towards their welfare. Animal shelters can also do with an extra pair of hands and would welcome your help, even if it is just for a couple of months.
Of course, working at an animal shelter is no easy task. It’s not all about cuddling cute puppies and kittens. Before you take up this job, you must be aware of what you will be expected to do. In addition to feeding and bathing the animals, you will also be responsible for cleaning out their cages and assisting with treating the animals. Most animals at the shelter are abandoned, injured or abused. Caring for animals at a shelter can be emotionally draining but also incredibly satisfying. You should only consider this option if you are genuinely concerned about animal welfare.
#4 Pool Cleaner
Flickr user Ash Kyd
Everybody dreams of spending the hot summer days cooling off in their backyard pool. However, not everyone has the time to spend cleaning their pool. If you decide to go this route, you will probably find more jobs than you can handle.
You can either work for a pool cleaning company or you can work independently. Doing a good job every single time will earn you referrals and continuous work. How much you work as an independent pool cleaner will depend on how many jobs you are willing to take on.
#5 Movie Theater Employee
Flickr user USAG – Humphreys
This has got to be one of the coolest summer jobs you can find. As a theater employee you may have to perform multiple duties, from selling or checking tickets and ushering ticket-holders to serving soda and popcorn. It’s a fun, low-stress job. You spend your work day within comfortable, air-conditioned confines and best of all, you get to see the latest summer releases for free or at discounted prices.
#6 Landscaper
Flickr user Penn State
All homeowners want their lawns to look neat and trimmed but it can be hot, hard work in the summer. Many people would rather pay someone to do this job for them. There are plenty of benefits of taking up lawn care work. You can set your own hours and work as much or as little as you like. The only condition is, if you make a commitment, you must keep it if you want the work to keep coming in. News spreads fast. If you are reliable, responsible and do a good job, you can expect to have a busy summer and earn a decent income before college starts.
#7 Grocery Store Employee
Flickr user Chuck Patch
Grocery stores of all sizes could always do with an extra pair of hands to help them stock shelves, bag items for customers, operate the cash register or do the general cleaning up. The pay isn’t much but it is a reasonable job option when you consider the flexible schedules and merchant discounts.
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