Summer is way better when you have some extra spending money in your pocket. If you're still in high school and looking to earn some money during the summer there are many job opportunities available. Needless to say, you'll eventually have to pull yourself out of bed but the benefits of that paycheck will hopefully make it worthwhile.
Fast Food
Working in the fast food industry has its advantages. For one there are a lot of fast food locations and securing a summer job can be as easy as submitting your resume and getting a background check. Many fast food chains will have an orientation program that you will go through when you start. You'll likely receive training on taking food orders and handling the cash register. While you may start out on the register there are other positions that you may be able to move into. Salaries will vary depending on your location and responsibilities but as a first time job you anticipate making around minimum wage range. Another advantage with fast food is that you may be able to keep your job during the school year. Do a good job, work hard and ask your manager if you can work for a few hours after school. You might find they are happy to work with your school schedule.Retail
Another excellent opportunity for high school students looking for summer work is retail jobs. Much like fast food there are an abundance of retail job opportunities and getting hired is as easy as submitting your resume. In retail jobs you'll likely be providing customer service and assisting on the cash register. There may also be some light cleaning and organizing to keep the store looking nice. The cool thing about retail are the job options. You can work with something you love. There are clothing stores, pet stores, electronics and music stores. Seriously, the list of retail jobs goes on and on. In addition retail jobs are something you may be able to handle while still in high school. Talk with your manager and see if they are willing to be flexible and work with your school schedule. It might mean a few extra dollars in your pocket or a splurge on those AirPods.Lifeguard
Working as a Lifeguard is a very important job and is absolutely a viable option for high school students looking for summer work. High school students as young as 15 can perform some lifeguard duties. There is a certification process to become a lifeguard. This can be completed at your local Red Cross or YMCA location. The certification will require a swimming skill pre-test, classroom learning and possibly online classes. Opportunities are available at local public pools, state beaches and aquatic attractions. If you're interested in learning more you can read our article on becoming a Seasonal Lifeguard. These positions can be both paid and volunteer. If money isn't the main objective volunteering as a Lifeguard will be a nice addition to the college application and a good way to earn those community service hours.Grocery Store
While you probably won't start out as a cashier there are opportunities for high school students to work at a grocery store. Even with no work experience starting off as a grocery bagger is possible. There will be other duties you will likely have such as assisting customers to their cars, general restocking of products, clean up on the pickle isle and cart collection. Wages will often be in the minimum wage range. This too is a reasonable job for a high school student to maintain even during the school year. With some experience you may work your way up to being a checker behind the register. This can be a great job while making your way through college.Summer Camp
If you don't mind spending your summer away from home there are a lot of positions that come available at summer camps. In many cases to qualify as a camp counselor you must be at least 18 years of age and some camps may require you to be at least 21 years of age. Depending on the summer camp you are working at there may be junior camp counselor positions available to younger high school students. Working as a Camp Counselor can be a fun summer job. You can possibly spend your days leading fun outdoor activities and providing additional support to the Camp Counselor. Having a good positive attitude and being a role model for your group are all important aspects of the job. If you've attended camps yourself this may be a great place to look for employment opportunities. There are generally many local camps that are organized each year. If you are looking to be a little further from home there are job openings around the country. Just be prepared to cover the expenses to get yourself to the camp.Nursery
For those that are not afraid of some manual labor working at a nursery may be a great option this summer. Spring and summer are the prime seasons for homeowners to start yard projects. Which means local nurseries will be stocking up on flowers, shrubs and trees. These plants have to be unloaded and displayed at the nursery. Plants and flowers will need to be maintained while at the nursery including watering, pruning and trimming of any dead plant matter. It's also common for a nursery to do new plant installations for homeowners and businesses. This may include going on a landscaping job digging holes for plants and trees and adding the new plants to the yard or facility. You'll likely as be required to perform basic customer service helping individuals find the right types of plants or trees for their needs. You may also be loading sold goods into cars and trucks. It can be a tough job yet rewarding at the same time. Nurseries tend to have workers on site before the opening time to start preparing for the day so be ready for some early mornings if needed. Wages will depend on your role at the nursery but typically the salary will be around minimum wage. If you're interested in horticulture this may be a perfect stepping stone to gain some hands on experience and learn from others in the business.Golf Caddie
Becoming a Golf Caddie is another job that high school students can perform. The job will require you be able to be on your feet and carry one or more bags of golf clubs. All the while providing assistance to the golfers you are caddying for. This may include cleaning clubs, selecting or suggesting the right club, providing tips on the greens and overall customer service. Wages will vary although a typical salary will be in the minimum wage area. The upside to this job is the tips and these can be substantial in your overall earnings. Every golfer will have their own personality and have different expectations from a Golf Caddie. Being able to adapt to your golfers needs is a key component to being successful in this business.Animal Shelter
If you have a passion for working with and around animals there are always needs for assistance at animal rescue shelters. For high school students looking for summer work these types of locations can be a great fit. It's not all fun and games though. The work can be tough as you will generally have responsibilities such as cleaning cages, bathing animals, walking dogs and maybe assisting with adoption paperwork. It should be noted that often these positions are volunteer. Now there is no question that some extra spending money is great but if that isn't your primary objective the experience gained is just as valuable. Volunteer jobs are also a great addition to a college application or can be a foot in the door to a paid position down the road.If you're able to find the time to work during the summer the benefits can be worthwhile. This will bring extra spending money, experience and possibly a nice addition to the college application. You'll probably have to make a few sacrifices and not be able to spend every waking moment with your bestie. There may be early mornings or late nights you'll find yourself working but this is all good hands on experience for those just entering the work world. Just remember put your best foot forward and perform your duties to the best of your ability. Good luck on the job hunt this summer.