Best Summer Jobs for High School Students

Summer jobs were the ultimate coming-of-age experience for many teenagers in the 1970s and 80s. They were a rite of passage, a chance to spread their wings and make their mark on the world. These summer jobs were a chance for High School Students to learn about the real world, gain independence, and make some money. They were a way to gain experience and valuable life skills that would serve them well in the future.

Many teens sought to make the most of their summer vacation by working part-time or full-time.

For many teens, the summer job was the first step on the ladder of success. It was a chance to prove themselves and make a positive impact on the world. Whether it was working at a local convenience store, mowing lawns, or lifeguarding at the community pool, these summer jobs were an opportunity to learn about responsibility, hard work, and the value of money.

Summer jobs play a crucial role in building students’ confidence, as they learn important life skills like time management and networking.

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Following the early 2000s dot-com implosion and the 2007-09 Great Recession, there was a sharp decrease in the number of teenagers working during the summer over the last two decades, but there was an upward trend following the pandemic.

Source: Pew Research

According to a Pew Research Center analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data, more than 6 million US teenagers, or 36.6%, worked for pay during at least part of the summer of 2021, the highest teen summer employment rate since 2008.

The accommodation and food services industry, which has been the largest employer of teens for the past two decades, employed the most teens in 2021 – 2.3 million, or 36.2% of all employed teens.

There are various types of summer jobs available for students these days, including traditional, online, and on-campus jobs. Nowadays, summer jobs are about more than just making money; they are about putting your skills to use and gaining experience for your future career.

We have compiled a list of the top 5 summer jobs for school students.

1. Food Sector

According to the Pew Research Center, the largest employer of teenagers is food preparation and serving. As a result, for teenagers looking for a summer job, restaurants/fast food joints provide numerous opportunities to learn and grow.

From handling cash and taking orders to preparing food and managing a team, working in a restaurant is a Herculean task that requires determination, hard work, and a love for the hustle and bustle of the kitchen. But the rewards are well worth it, as the experience gained in a restaurant job can be invaluable.

However, the restaurant industry is not for the faint of heart, but it is an exciting and rewarding career path for those who thrive under pressure and are passionate about food. The experience will teach you teamwork and time management, customer service and communication, as well as the art and science of cooking. You’ll learn valuable skills that will help you in any career.

So, if you’re a teen looking for a summer job, think about working in the restaurant industry. It could be the most delectable job you’ve ever had. 

Source: Pew research

2. Sales

The sales industry was the second largest employer of teenagers in 2021. Summer jobs in sales and related fields involve promoting and selling products or services to customers. Teens can gain valuable experience in communication, negotiation, and customer service through these types of jobs. 

The roles like retail sales associate, telemarketing, fundraiser, direct sales, trade show sales, event coordinator, etc. are offered to teens in a variety of settings such as retail stores, telemarketing companies, and non-profit organizations.

3. Health Care Support jobs

For high school students who are planning to pursue a career in healthcare, there are a variety of job opportunities available. Some of these include working as a Pharmacy Technician Assistant, Office/Administrative Assistant, Registrar/Patient Service Representative, and Medical Secretary.

They can gain valuable experience in the healthcare field as well as gain an understanding of the various roles and responsibilities that are associated with it.

Working as a Pharmacy Technician Assistant, for example, can teach you how pharmacies work and how important accuracy and attention to detail are when dispensing medication. While an Office/Administrative Assistant position can teach you about the behind-the-scenes work that keeps healthcare facilities running smoothly.

Similarly, working as a Registrar/Patient Service Representative can teach you the value of patient care and communication skills, and working as a Medical Secretary can teach you about healthcare administration.

Overall, these job opportunities provide an excellent opportunity for high school students to gain hands-on experience in the healthcare field while also laying the groundwork for future careers.

4. Office and administrative jobs

Those who want to get a taste of the corporate working culture can look for office and administrative summer jobs. Working as a receptionist or administrative assistant is an example of one of these jobs. Among the responsibilities could be:

• Organizing and filing paperwork and documents
• Data entry and fundamental computer skills
• Making appointments or holding meetings
• Creating and distributing memos or other forms of communication
• Organizing and managing office supplies

Such possibilities are not limited to the corporate sector. Even government agencies and non-profit organizations provide opportunities for teens to gain practical work experience, develop skills such as time management and attention to detail, and learn about various industries and organizations.

5. Online Summer Jobs

Young people nowadays prefer to work from home, especially after the pandemic. An online medium provides a variety of opportunities for them. There are numerous options for online summer jobs for teenagers.

Teens can choose jobs ranging from online tutoring, graphic design, and content creation to social media manager and online survey taker based on their skills and interests.

They can also work as a virtual assistant for a company or entrepreneur, providing administrative and organizational support such as appointment scheduling, email response, and social media account management.

These online summer jobs for teens offer flexibility and the ability to work remotely, and many of these jobs can be done part-time or freelance. It’s an excellent opportunity for teenagers to gain work experience, earn money, and improve their skills.

Summer jobs were always motivating, from earning pocket money to paying college fees. Given the rapidly changing world, teens should take on summer jobs that interest them and allow them to hone their skills so that they can reap benefits in the future such as college admission, launching a startup, and so on.

Moonpreneur is on a mission to disrupt traditional education and future-proof the next generation with holistic learning solutions. Its Innovator Program is building tomorrow’s workforce by training students in AI/ML, Robotics, Coding, IoT, and Apps, enabling entrepreneurship through experiential learning.