Best
summer
jobs for
students
BY JAIME DEJESUS School is out and hopefully it’s time for
summer fun that includes vacations,
beaches, barbecues and spending time
with friends. However, it’s also a great
opportunity for students, whether in
high school or college, to earn some
cash that will help pay for a fun time and also
prepare you for life outside of the classroom.
It remains a competitive job market, especially
in the summer, so fill out applications and start
planning early. Here are some places to start.
Retail
This is a common choice and one that offers
a variety of possibilities. Love tech? Apply to
your local electronics shop where you can help
customers in selecting the best products. If you’re
into fashion, give your favorite clothing joint a
shot. Or if you’re a bookworm, find a local or chain
bookstore so you can be surrounded by your
passion.
The fact is retailers are always looking for
more employees, so this could be a decent place
to get your feet wet. Hours are demanding and
the pay varies, but you’ll be able to stay cool in a
(hopefully) air conditioned facility while helping
customers interested in something you know
about.
Counselor
Now this job takes a bit of patience, but if you
have the ability to be both a kid at heart and
responsible at once, being a counselor at summer
camp might be the perfect match for you.
Children can be difficult. But there’s also a bond
you form with your campers that is rewarding on
both ends. The feeling of teaching a kid to swing
a bat or taking your group on their first zoo trip is
special and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
These kids depend on you, so it’s important
to remember to act like a grown-up even if you
don’t feel like one, because youngsters remember
everything. If you’re looking for a career in
teaching, this summer job is a no-brainer.
Freelance writer
If you’re romantic about the written word,
remain sharp at your skill by writing for your local
newspaper or magazine. It will help you explore
your creative side while deciding whether writing
is a career you’d like to pursue in the future.
Making money for this summer gig is a bonus.
The true reward in this job is to hone your craft.
Being surrounded by other writers and learning
from an editor will be an invaluable experience
moving forward.
Working at a movie theater
During the summer, the movie theater is the
place to be. Every big budget film that’s been
promoted for months is finally out. If you’re a
movie freak and want to be in the middle of that
excitement and don’t mind working instead of
watching every movie, this could be an intriguing
option.
There are perks to the job, like seeing all the
movies and maybe scoring free popcorn, as well
as working in a cool environment during the hot
summer days and being in the middle of the action.
Tutor
Like counseling, being a tutor is a rewarding
experience. It requires the same attributes, such
as patience, but it also forces you to take your
knowledge and simplify it to children or peers who
are struggling in a specific subject.
Knowing what you’re teaching is only a small
part of the battle. But again, along with the pay,
the reward is when whoever it is you’re assisting
comes back and shows the A+ he or she received
on the last test. It’s a rewarding experience and
also a must if you want to teach.
Dog walker
This may sound like the silliest of the list, but
who cares? If you’re an animal lover, and you
love spending your days in the outdoors, this is a
perfect fit.
Of course the pressure is high. You are
responsible for someone else’s beloved pooch,
and walking one ill-tempered pup may be difficult,
never mind several. And if you have a weak
stomach, it may be tough too. But the pay is not
bad to enjoy warm summer days with man’s best
friend.
Internship
Sometimes, money isn’t everything. I know
that’s a mind blowing concept for young students
in desperate need of loot. However, if you like to
plan ahead, you will no doubt get the most and
best experience out of an internship.
Find something you have a passion for and
try it out. Even if you don’t enjoy it, at least it’s
something you can cross off your list and try
something new. The beauty is that the stakes
are low. You still have time to find the right fit for
yourself.
In addition to learning your passion and getting
a better understanding on how the potential career
works, you are able to network and perhaps have
a job lined up once your internship concludes.
QNS.COM
SUMMER 2017 23