Summer Job Scramble
High school, college students hunt out short term income
As summer approaches, teens prepare to find jobs to help fill future resumes and to fill wallets. According to predictions from business leaders, teens across the nation could hold up to 2 million jobs this summer, which is a highly projected number as teens fill jobs that adults pass on due to the lower wages. Because of the pandemic, most adults over the age of 20 are looking to secure incomes high enough to make up for a year of lost wages in order to better support their families.
The 2021 school year is almost over, and the media is overwhelming their platforms with new summer ideas and products. Some kids are now looking for summer jobs with hopes of paying for fun activities. Though teenagers have limited options, there are a few that align perfectly for certain money-hungry teens.
The easiest jobs to find are house or baby/pet sitting opportunities. One way to get these jobs is to put an ad in a neighborhood newsletter/app or ask family friends. These tasks take responsibility and patience, and the pay varies depending on experience.
“I usually work for five to six hours at a time and make good money,” sophomore Maddigan Hodge said.
Another popular job option is working at a recreation center. UScore and Farm League are two in the area. Students who work here can serve at concessions, check-in, or do any other tasks needed. At UScore, shifts are generally four hours, four days a week but are adjustable. This is a potential option for teens who like to watch sports and don’t mind being outside for long periods of time.
“I work at UScore Soccer, and I really do enjoy my job. It’s super laid back, but also productive at the same time,” senior Natalie Myers said.
Another classic summer job is lifeguarding. However, lifeguarding does take a lot of responsibility and training. They have to be ready to take action and potentially save lives at all times. Many neighborhoods have pools so teenagers can always be close to home. Workers have to be 15, so this is a great option for teens who can’t drive yet.
“I enjoy my job,” sophomore James Martinez said. “I get to lifeguard with my friends and I can set my availability for when I can work so I usually get pretty good hours throughout the summer.”
Some students go above and beyond to create their own jobs. Sophomore Natalia Vazquez has her own baking company where she makes many treats, including her specialty macarons. Freelance photographer senior Daniel Alvarez-Fedyaev made it all the way to the NFL last summer shooting seven on seven tournaments.
“I enjoyed my summer job because it reflects my creativity and I get to have fun working with professional athletes,” Alvarez-Fedyaev said. “My advice to people looking for summer jobs is to have a dead set goal to find a job and work towards establishing a clear business plan to market yourself to potential clients/businesses.”
Starting a small business gives one total creative liberty and ownership. If someone is not as creative but wants to grow a personal business, things like power washing, dog walking, and yard work are other options.
