Summer Jobs for college students

**thekid** · 04-12-2007, 10:35 AM

I always liked security guard jobs (for private security firms) as default summer jobs. No particular qualifications are required, pay (10 yrs ago) was an acceptable 10$-13$/hour, flexible work schedule is possible and they always need a bunch of on-call people due to vacations and high turnover rates.

More interesting work is securing a reserach assistant position with a professor during the summer or (depending on the field of study) quite a bit of summer work opportunity may be available in that field for summer students.

**nanamom** · 04-12-2007, 02:55 PM

lifeguard is always good if you are qualifies. Mowing lawns or babysitting would work too, although you'd call it something fancy like landscaping or tutoring. I am putting up a fence and would have to consider it if a college kid knocked on my door and offered to help reasonably. Some stores hire college kids too. If a kid had a job while in high school alot of times they will agree to him or her coming back in the summer between terms.

**rduell** · 04-13-2007, 01:43 AM

Our daughter works for a well-known cutlery company during the summer doing data processing. The summer is always their busiest time of the year and they hire college students in all areas of the business: packing, shipping, etc.

Our son works at a grocery store doing your typical stocking and bagging groceries.

**Lori63** · 04-13-2007, 01:17 PM

My son will be working for the parks and rec dept., one of many college kids doing the daycare program at the elementary schools. 8-3 everday.
Last year he worked at a car dealership in the reconditioning dept., cleaning cars, etc.

**gackle** · 04-13-2007, 01:27 PM

That's a good idea, Lori63. I know my wife and I struggle every summer with what to do with our kids when they're out of school. Since we both work, options are difficult. If we knew a college student that we trusted who would watch them and do things with them I think we'd seriously consider it.

Ten years ago when I was in college I worked at a veterinarian's office during the summers.

**abowers** · 04-15-2007, 06:43 PM

If near a college town, colleges/universities need help over the summer too! As an undergrad I did research for one nearby University for 2 summers (over 2 years actually, since I could keep working during the school year), and I helped with catering at my college one summer.

Babysitting is another good one -- check the paper or nearby bulletin boards for families seeking a babysitter. Usually full time over the summer since the kids are out of school. Babysitting pays good money if you have the pleasure of watching well-behaved kids.

Summer Camp Counselor
Summer Reading programs at the library
Lifeguard
Landscaping
Painting Houses (College Pro, etc)

Grocery Stores
Barnes and Noble/Borders, they would deal with having someone for only 3 months, especially if you're able to work closing shifts

Check Monster & Career Builder even for part time jobs. Check classified ads (which seem to be online now too). Check bulletin boards around town. Ask friends.

**Hez** · 04-20-2007, 01:59 PM

Another good summer job is tree planting. I've never done it but I had a friend plant trees for 2 summers and she had a blast.

**fairy74** · 04-20-2007, 02:05 PM

I'd say send out resumes to whatever type of work they're interested in. Lots of places have college students who graduate and move away in early June, thereby freeing up at least some summer work for others...

**zetta** · 04-20-2007, 04:50 PM

Waiting tables at a restaurant is good -- the more expensive the restaurant, the higher the tips! Definitely look for one that serves alcohol. (When I was in school, in my state you could serve deliver drinks to the table at 18 even though you couldn't drink until 21.)

Retail and fast food are always hiring, though not very lucrative.

As for finding a job, either make a trip home a few weekends before school lets out, or plan on spending the first two weeks of summer searching for a job. For restaurants and retail, stop by 10-20 places in person and ask to fill out an application.

**Scanner** · 04-20-2007, 05:07 PM

How can college students find summer jobs nowadays?

I think it's a good lesson for them to pound the pavement with hat in hand and learn how to ask for a job. It's an adult skill they have to master and they have to get used to, "Sorry. . .can't help you."

Theme parks are usually more busy in the summer and have summer help. Water parks too and not just lifeguarding - concession stands, etc.

**scfr** · 04-20-2007, 05:27 PM

Golf courses (especially country clubs) are happy to hire groundskeepers, caddies, and wait staff only for the summer, especially someone they think will come back for several summers in a row. When I was in college I waited tables at a country club in my mom's town during the summers; the tips were great.

Summer Jobs for college students