Summer’s Here! Everyone in the (Job) Pool!

Now that school’s out, many of you will hit the pavement in search of your first-ever job. There are many good reasons to start working – to learn a skill, meet some new friends, take on financial responsibility (like car insurance or saving for college), or to to have more independence and say over your spending money. Depending on where you live and your interests, your search for summer employment can vary widely. Here are a few of the more popular choices:

• Landscaping – Okay, so this is sometimes just a fancy term for “lawn mowing,” but the good thing about doing yard work is that there will always be a need for it. Word of mouth is a great way to get this type of job as the lives of our neighbors change and a little help can be needed at any time. You also charge more by owning your own equipment or offering additional services like trimming and planting.

• Babysitter – Summer is a time when working parents who typically have kids in school find themselves in need of reliable help. Good caregivers are hard to find, and parents are often willing to pay a good hourly wage. The downside is that being responsible for the well being of young children can be stressful. The Red Cross offers a certification course in babysitting, which is a good way of learning the basics and showing prospective parents that you mean business.

• Lifeguard – Working at a poolside in the sun alongside people your own age all day can be a fun way to spend a summer and make some cash. But like babysitting, this job requires one to be responsible for the well being of others. Most swim clubs offer training that involves rescue, CPR and basic first aid.

• Retail/Food Service – Just like lawn mowing, there will always be fast food restaurants and stores that require help. The good thing about these kinds of jobs is that employers will often hire people with little or no experience, and there can be opportunities to learn different roles. Plus, you are usually entitled to a discount (or sometimes a free meal).

• Intern – Cash is not the only motivation for a summer job. Gaining real-world experience by going into an office and working alongside professionals can be well worth the lack of a paycheck. Some companies offer a structured program designed specifically for interns. Beyond gaining insight into the world of work, internships provide access to respected mentors. Check out http://www.internships.com to learn more.

• Odd Jobs –Being proactive and seeking out places where you lend a hand is an excellent way to make some cash this summer. Take a look around your neighborhood. You could become a dog-walker or pet-sitter and pick up mail and water plants for vacationing neighbors.  If you know how to fix things, get the word out. You could also approach local businesses you think could use some help and offer your services.

What Do You Think? Do you have a job? If so, what is it? Do you like it? Why or why not? Are there jobs you can think of that are missing from the above list? If you could have any summer job, what would it be and why?