A great summer job is hard to find. Ideally, you would make enough money to fund your summer adventures and leave some for the remainder of the school year, all while managing to enjoy some quality time with friends and family. Hard, but not impossible! Let me share some wisdom from my very own summer job experiences, including where I found the best combination of profit and fun.
1. High-End Retail Stores
I worked for high-end retailers all through college and learned that, unlike my other friends in retail, I was making MUCH more. Some of the requirements for these positions include high energy, fun personality, brand awareness and above-average customer service. Something to keep in mind is that the standards are usually very high in the grooming department—minimal polish, strict dress codes (all-black or brand-specific clothing) and season-specific shoes at all times. What can you expect? $10+/hour, generous discount programs, flexible schedules and fun team activities.
2. Bank Teller
Many banks offer part-time summer positions (20-25 hours) for college students specifically. These positions usually require some previous cash-handling experience and average math skills as well as the ability to work under pressure. On the bright side: You can expect $10+/hour and guaranteed Sundays and nights off. Plus, this one looks nice on a resume. It’s a pretty mature job for a college student. No brainer!
3. Lifeguard
As I’m sure you’re already aware, you have to know how to swim for this one; however, that’s not all you need. Additional to superior swimming skills, it is preferred that you also have some CPR training and extreme attention to detail. If you fulfill these few requirements, you could be working anywhere from a water park to your local YMCA or even the beach (though beach lifeguards must often complete more requirements) and making at least $9/hour. Just don’t forget to wear sunscreen!
4. Pharmacy Associates
This one was kind of surprising! Daily tasks include average store-support duties and operational tasks, yet the pay is above any average clothing or shoe retailer at around $10.50/hour. If you don’t mind the uniform and the less-than-appealing shoes, this could be the perfect fit. Bonus points: ever notice how pharmacies stay SUPER chilly? This could be a big plus depending on how steaming hot your summer gets.
5. Babysitting
This is definitely a throwback to your high school days, but don’t cross this off your list just yet! The national average hourly wage for sitters is about $12.50/hour, and with the help of sites like
Sittercity.com, you can be easily connected to parents seeking educated, reliable and hard-working people to take care of their kids. One way to get the most out of this position is to build your rates much like a menu—start with your base price and detail any extra charges for additional tasks such as meal preparation, play dates and doctor’s appointments. Worth the shot! And, a lot of times parents will pay you in CASH…which is always a plus!
