Summer jobs for college students
By Anthony Fontana, Zing!/Quicken Loans
This story comes from our partner, Zing! by Quicken Loans
As a college student, this time of year was bittersweet. On one hand, the semester was winding down and summer vacation was just a few sleepless nights spent cramming for exams away. On the other hand, the end of the semester also meant it was time for a summer job.
A good summer job can make for a memorable summer. However, a bad summer job can make the summer seem like it’s dragging on forever. Below is a list of jobs for you to consider this summer if you want to make some money and have fun at the same time.
Server
If you’re looking to make some quick cash, work at a restaurant or bar as a server, not a dishwasher. While your paychecks generally won’t be worth a whole lot, you won’t have to wait a week or two for payday because you’ll bring home cold, hard cash after every shift (hopefully). Look for establishments that have outdoor seating, as it’s likely they’ll need to hire extra help for the summer.
Landscaper
If you don’t mind the hot weather, you can work outdoors as a landscaper. The hours are long, often times starting at sunrise and not finishing until dark. As a landscaper, you’ll mow lawns and plant gardens, along with anything else that deals with the aesthetics of the land. You could get a job mowing lawns in your neighborhood by yourself or for a business. The work can be grueling, although if you enjoy being outside, this job may be for you.
Lifeguard
If you’re comfortable in the water, you could land a job as a lifeguard at a local pool or beach. Who can argue with spending their summer in the warm weather keeping people safe in the water? Sounds like a pretty good job to me. To become a lifeguard, you’ll need to be certified in CPR training and able to pass other courses to prove you can handle the gig.
Intern
I spent last summer interning at Quicken Loans. It was a great experience that I would recommend to anyone. Whether you’re looking for an internship for college credit or to gain some experience in your field of choice, an internship can help you in many ways. However, not all internships pay. Be sure to read the full job description to see if it involves compensation. Better yet, if you find one that fits what you’re looking for, you may be able to turn it into a long-term job. If nothing else, you’ll end the summer with more experience than you had before and with something to add to your resume.
Cashier
A good option for a summer job is the position of cashier at a local party store. The training is vigorous (up to about 70 hours for the first two weeks) although the work isn’t bad. You can expect shifts that range from early in the morning to late at night. The job does have some perks. You could spend around four days a week in air conditioning selling people lottery tickets, slushies and food. Many employers will evenly spread out weekend hours and won’t be hesitant to hand out raises for hard work. For a part-time job, the money isn’t bad and the hours are usually pretty great.
Amusement park employee
If you want to get the college experience minus taking classes during the summer, check out an amusement park like Cedar Point, which is located in Sandusky, OH. If you work at Cedar Point, you have the option to stay in dorm-like rooms over the summer for a fee. The hours are long, but still … you’re at an amusement park! You have many different jobs to choose from, such as a roller-coaster operator, working concessions or cleaning.
My advice is don’t settle for a job you don’t like. Explore all your options before picking a job that you’ll be working for the next few months.
Who out there has an interesting story about a past summer job? Do you already have a summer job picked out for this year? Let us know in the comments below!
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January 1, 1970 at 12:00 am