Looking for a Summer Job?

By: Sarah Cushing and Stephanie Bolmer

Summer is on its way, and the change in climate isn't the only thing to look
forward to. One of the best things about summer is school vacation. And,
vacation means free time. If you don't have enough summer activities to
fill your time, or if you are looking to earn some extra cash, here are some
ideas for summer jobs that anyone fifteen years old or older could apply for
and get!

Server
Although some restaurant establishments
require their servers to be eighteen years
old, many family-run or fast food
restaurants will hire teens who are under
eighteen. Although serving can be hard
work, it can also be really fun! Working in
the food service and restaurant industry is
truly people-oriented, so you will have the
chance to work with others on a daily basis.
Also, this job will keep you on you toes!
Food service tends to be a fast-paced job,
so you are sure to spend all or most of your
time on your feet always looking for some-
thing to do. Places that are open seasonally
during the summer months are great places to look at for summer
employment. You might even get all the ice cream you can eat in the deal!
Although serving is hard work, the pay-off is the income. Servers can make
fairly good money, since a large deal of the money they make is in tips.
Check locally owned restaurants and eateries, fast food restaurants and
catering companies for positions.



Camp Counselor
Working at a camp is a quintessential summer job. There are so many
different sorts of camps that virtually anyone could find a camp that
pertained to one of her interests. If you are a great soccer player, you could
find a position at a soccer camp for young kids. Or, if you are more
traditional camper, you could find a job as a counselor at a sleep-away
camp. The Girl Scouts of America are a great place to look for hikes through
the woods and campfires. They have day camps, too, and you don't have to
have earned your Gold Award to help other girls earn their badges! Some
camps have age requirements for their counselors, particularly depending
on their age of the campers, but there are also often junior counselor
positions available. If you love working with kids and being active then
working as a camp counselor could be a great job for you!

Babysitter/Child Care Provider
Although babysitting may not seem like a particularly lucrative job, you
might be surprised! Babysitters are usually paid hourly, and quite well at
that. There aren't many pre-requisites for this job, except experience with
kids (younger siblings totally count!). And, if you want to beef up your
experience you can take a Babysitter's training or infant/child CPR class,
offered by organizations like the American Red Cross. Babysitting can be a
pretty fun job, too--coloring or playing a game of tag with pre-school kids is
a great way to forget your stress. Post flyers in your community advertising
your services and keep an eye out for ads in newspapers from people who
are looking for childcare.

Lifeguard
This is another classic summer job.
If you're a strong swimmer
(even if you're not on the swim team),
you can go through the training to be a
lifeguard. The American Red Cross
offers courses that will teach you what
you need to know and be certified in.
uch like the Babysitter's course, you'll
learn CPR and first aid, along with other
water safety and rescue skills vital to
life guarding. It is a big responsibility,
however, to have so many lives in your
hands, so while life guarding can be a
great job for someone who likes to be
out in the sun and the fresh air, as well
as be part of a big staff, it is a job that
should be taken seriously. And don't
forget the sunscreen. There are
sometimes other jobs to be had at pools, too, if sitting out on the stand all
day isn't your idea of fun. There are people to serve food, to keep the pool
clean, and to check people in. Check at your municipal building for jobs at
public pools, parks, and other places where they might be hiring for the
summer.

Tour Guide
Almost every city has some sort of tourist attraction. Even if you don't live
in the most popular place in the country, check out the historic area. There
is sure to be a museum or exhibit that is hiring for the summer. And what
better way to soak up a little culture and helping visitors to learn about your
history and heritage while learning it yourself? With a job like this, you'll
get to meet new people from all walks of life and all sorts of places everyday.

Amusement parks
This is sometimes another place for lifeguards, and it's definitely a fun
place for anyone. There are rides to operate, games to run, cotton candy to
be spun, and tickets to be taken. Knowing that you are helping others to
have fun can be truly rewarding, and there might even be perks like private
staff parties, free admission vouchers, or an overall discount all summer
long, if you want to have a turn to ride on your day off.

Check out local businesses
There is always the need for a helping hand full of youthful energy in small
businesses and stores. Look around for “Help Wanted” signs, or if there is a
particular little craft store or vintage clothing shop you love to shop in,
walk up to the desk and ask them if they could use any help. Local banks
sometimes hire high schoolers to be tellers, and you could even work your
way up to having your own desk by the end of your high school years.
Remember to look in your newspaper's classifieds for opportunities you
might not have thought of, too!

Start your own business
If none of these suit you, or you're not old enough to be hired, you can still
be productive and save some dough. There are plenty of ways you can be a
successful self-starter. All you need is some initiative and good publicity.
Are you especially good at a particular subject in school? You could be tutor
for someone who is trying to catch up over the summer. Or you could put
your hands into the work: start a business cleaning homes or washing cars,
walking dogs or cat-sitting, mowing lawns or painting houses. And don't
forget, your handiwork could be watercolors, photography, or writing--
opportunities to be recognized for your artwork are always around, and you
have more free time for developing and promoting them in the summer.

Don't get discouraged if your first choice idea didn't work out. There are
plenty of opportunities, and you should be proud of yourself for getting out
there and being independent enough to be earning some income for
yourself. No matter what job you end up having this summer, even if you
don't find one at all, remember to work on hobbies and talents that you
enjoy, to take time for yourself, and to have fun!