If you’re excited for lockdowns to ease up and are itching to get out of the house and do things, a summer job may be perfect for you! This article will tell you everything you need to know about the best summer jobs for college students.
Things to Consider
Online
The world is still reeling from Covid so you may prefer working an online summer job. The good news is, lots of companies had to move online over the past year, so there are tons of opportunities! An online job will let you work from the comfort of your home, and if you find the right one, can let you set your working hours.
Offline
Maybe you’re sick of being stuck indoors? There are offline jobs that are safe and let you get outside. The sun and weather are a huge part of enjoying the summer after all!
Location
Think about where you want to work. Maybe you want to travel to a different city? Maybe you want to work at a place close to your house? Make sure you factor commuting time into whatever job you’re considering.
Which Field
Finding a job in the subject you’re studying gives you real-world work experience and looks great on your resume. Get a head start on your career by looking for jobs that are in the specific field you’re interested in.
Part-time
If you want to enjoy yourself and devote time to passion projects and hobbies while making some money, a part-time job may be perfect for you! A part-time job comes with more flexibility and less responsibility but tends to pay less per hour.
Full-time
A full-time job means more money, but it also means working 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. It’s a serious commitment, but you can make serious money and it’ll look great on a resume.
Industry Experience
Working in a particular industry gives you specific knowledge. If you already have an idea of which industry you’d like to work in, finding a summer job in that industry will give you a headstart on your career.
Mentorship
If you want to learn from an expert, find a job where you’ll work closely with a supervisor. It’s a great way to grow and get insight into a potential career.
Let’s dive into the list of good summer jobs for college students!
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Studyfy Top 5 Cool Summer Jobs for College Students
Travel Blogger
Have your travel plans been on hold for over a year now and you can’t wait to explore exotic destinations? Consider becoming a travel blogger to make some money while you fulfill your dreams.
What It Pays
If you have a strong social media presence, you can make over $25 an hour writing articles and posting photos and videos
Pros
You can make money while living your dream
It’s fun and creative
Cons
It’s tough to get into if you don’t have a big social media presence
You’ll have to work while traveling or on vacation
Tour Guide
If you're proud of your city and know a lot about it, working as a tour guide is a great way to share your love! You can talk to a local visitor center or museum to get the job, or advertise your services on websites and social media.
What It Pays
Your base salary will be around $15 an hour, but if you do a good job, you can get generous tips. Especially if you tell them you’re a broke college student trying to make some extra money over the summer!
Pros
Sharing your love for your city
Working on your public speaking and communication skills
Decent Pay
Cons
Lack of stability since your work depends on the number of tourists
No matter how much you love your city, it might get repetitive
Personal Chef
Even if you don’t have professional training, as long as you love to cook and people like your food, you can become a personal chef! Websites like iHireChefs let you sign up no matter what your experience level.
What It Pays
If you have the skills, this can be a high-paying job. You can expect to make around $20 an hour!
Pros
You can get paid for doing something you love
You don’t need professional training
Cons
You might come across some difficult clients
It’s not a stable job
Micro Freelancer
You have lots of skills that people are willing to pay you for. Micro freelance websites like Fiverr and Upwork have thousands of jobs ranging from web design, graphic design, transcription, translation, writing, data entry, and more that you could get paid for.
What It Pays
It depends on how much you want to work, but you can make thousands of dollars a month on Fiverr making it one of the high paying summer jobs for college students.
Pros
You can work from home
You decide your schedule
You pick which jobs you want
Cons
It takes some time to make serious money
You have to be self-motivated
Farm Hand
Farms get busy in the summers and they are always looking for people to help out. If you live in a rural area, then working on a farm might be your best option for outdoor work.
What It Pays
Working as a new farmhand, you can expect to make around $12 an hour.
Pros
You’ll learn a lot of new skills
You can work outdoors
Cons
Farmwork can be very physically demanding
It doesn’t help your resume
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Outdoor Jobs
Lifeguard
One of the summer job classics. If you love the pool or live close to a beach, being a lifeguard is the perfect job. You can truly enjoy the weather and who knows, maybe even save lives!
What It Pays
You won’t get rich being a lifeguard, but you’ll make around $10 an hour.
Pros
Working outdoors and enjoying the weather
Working with people and learning decision making
Cons
You’ll have to go through some basic training including CPR and first aid
The pay isn’t great
Camp Counselor
Just because you’re getting older doesn’t mean you can’t get summer camp jobs for college students. Go back as a counselor and experience summer camp from a different perspective!
What It Pays
You’ll be paid about $10 an hour, but you’ll have essentially zero expenses while working since accommodation and meals are provided.
Pros
Working outdoors in a beautiful place
If you love kids, this is the perfect job
Learning valuable skills like event planning, leadership, and problem-solving
Cons
Working with kids can be rewarding, but it can also be very challenging
The pay isn’t great
Gardener
If you have a green thumb, working as a landscaper might be the ideal summer job! You’ll be in the company of plants and will be taking care of the environment.
What It Pays
You can make up to $14 an hour.
Pros
You get to work in nature and protect the environment
The pay is decent
Cons
The work can be physically intense
It doesn’t improve your resume
Indoor Jobs
Nanny
If you love children, then working as a nanny could be the perfect summer job! You can sign up to specific childcare websites, or just advertise your services through friends and social media.
What It Pays
You can set your rate based on your experience, but if you’re just starting you’ll make around $12 an hour.
Pros
Working with children can be very rewarding
You don’t need any special experience or training
Cons
Taking care of a child is a lot of responsibility
You might have a few difficult children
Tutor
If you like children and enjoy teaching, working as a tutor can be very lucrative. Websites like VIPKids let you teach online, but you can also advertise your services or look for jobs on Facebook and Instagram and through friends and family.
What It Pays
Tutoring can be one of the best paid summer jobs for college students, especially if you can teach something complicated. You can earn $20 an hour teaching English on a website like VIPKids.
Pros
Teaching kids can be very rewarding
You can work online and set your hours
The pay is great
Cons
You might come across some difficult students
Some companies require certifications like a CELTA
Service Jobs
Barista
Working as a barista will teach you how to make an excellent cup of coffee, which is going to impress people your whole life. It’s also an easy job to get and gives you that chance to talk to many people.
What It Pays
Expect around $10 an hour, but maybe a little more including tips.
Pros
You’ll get a chance to work on your communication skills
You’ll learn a skill that will always impress people
You don’t need any previous job experience
Cons
You may come across some rude customers
The pay isn’t great
Bartender
This is just a cool job! Not only will you meet tons of interesting people, but you’ll learn how to make delicious cocktails.
What It Pays
The average bartender makes about $12 an hour, but if you work in a fancy place or can get big tips you could make a lot more!
Pros
You’ll learn a lifelong skill
You can work on your interpersonal skills
You can make decent money
Cons
You have to be 21
You might have to work at night
You might come across some obnoxious customers
Sales Associate
If you have an outgoing personality and like talking to people this may be the perfect job for you! You’ll interact with customers, but be ready to stock shelves and take care of inventory as well.
What It Pays
If it’s your first time you can make around $13 an hour.
Pros
In-store discounts
A chance to work on communication skills
No previous experience required
Cons
You might have to work on weekends and holidays
The pay isn’t the best
Driving Jobs
Food Delivery Driver
As long as you have access to a method of transportation and a valid driver’s license, you can sign up to websites like UberEats and DoorDash and work delivering food. It’s an easy job to get and to do!
What It Pays
You can make around $15 an hour
Pros
It doesn’t have any prerequisites
The pay is pretty good
You don’t need to learn any new skills
Cons
You don’t learn anything new
Driving all day can be exhausting
Rideshare Companies
Signing up to drive for a company like Uber or Lyft is always a good option to make some extra money over the summer. You’ll meet a lot of people and you can work when you want to.
What It Pays
Depending on how many hours you work, you can make good money, but in general, the average salary is around $15 an hour.
Pros
You get to meet a lot of people
You don’t need any special skills
Cons
You don’t learn any new skills
You might have some unpleasant customers
Mover
If you have a truck or a van you can find work as a mover. Look up some local moving companies or advertise your services through social media.
What it Pays
You’ll make about $15 an hour.
Pros
You don’t need any special skills
You can choose which jobs you want to take
Cons
You might have to do some heavy lifting
You might not have constant work
Summer Internships
Getting an official summer internship looks great on a resume and gives you official work experience. Companies in every field offer summer internship programs for college students, so search job boards and specific company’s websites to apply. The competition can be fierce for well-known companies, so make sure you send out lots of applications.
Every internship is different, so make sure you read the job description and responsibilities carefully. A summer internship counts as official work experience so getting one will help you land a good first job after college. Be warned though, apart from a few of the best companies, summer internships don’t pay a lot of money, it’s more about getting experience.
Top 5 Companies for Internships
Though there are thousands of companies that offer summer internships for college students, some of them stand above the rest. These are either famous companies, companies that have a track record of having very educational internship programs, or companies that pay their interns very well (making them the highest paying summer jobs for college students). The top 5 offer internships that have all 3.
Google receives more internship applications than any other organization in the world. That’s because interning with google while in college guarantees that you’ll land an amazing job after graduating.
Similar to a Google internship, a Facebook internship sets you up for life. Not only do they offer internships for several different types of positions, but they also pay $8000 a month, while holding many growth-oriented activities.
Barclays
For those of you interested in banking and finance, the Barclays Global summer Analyst and Associate Programs are one of the best in the world. You’ll get experience in data analytics, investment banking, and computer science amongst many other opportunities to learn.
Americans for the Arts Internships
If you study art and humanities, then applying for one of the 3 internships offered by Americans for the Arts is the best option. You’ll get a chance to collaborate with artists, work in local politics, organize events and meetings, and much more.
Home Depot
The Home Depot Internship Program is one of the best retail and consumer products internships in the world right now. The retail giant offers internships in supply chain management, marketing, merchandising, finance, and more.
Think about which industry you want to work in and run a google search to see whether they offer internships and how well the internships are rated. Some other companies that offer great internship programs are:
Amazon has a great internship program for a variety of different job types.
McDonald’s offers the best fast-food company internship.
Uber is a tech giant that offers many opportunities in a variety of fields.
Procter & Gamble is one of the best FMCG internships to get.
Bain and Company is one of the top consulting firms in the world and has a great program for business students.
When To Start Looking
If you have a particular company in mind, make sure you check their website and social media regularly to find out when their summer internship applications open. Generally speaking, the earlier you start thinking about and looking for summer internships, the better. Start working on a resume, cover letter, and letters of recommendation now so that when you apply you don’t have to rush. Ideally, you should have started thinking about which internships you want to apply for in the winter, but don’t panic! There’s still plenty of time as long as you start looking as soon as possible.
How To Find a Summer Job
It may seem daunting to even just find a summer job, but there are lots of ways you can find one.
Check with your college's Career Services Office
Check if your school has a job listing site or platform
Check specific companies websites
Talk to family and friends
Talk to alumni you know well
Go to career fairs
Check online and offline classified ads
Just do a google search
These are some of the best websites for finding internships:
- Internships.com
- Glassdoor
- Idealist
- YouTern
- Internmatch
Some Final Tips
Ask Important Questions
Think about what you want from your internship experience and make sure you ask a potential employer whether those criteria will be fulfilled. Look for opportunities to learn new skills, get industry knowledge, and widen your professional network. Ask yourself what skills you want to learn and make sure the internship you pick matches them.
Think About Job Shadowing
A great way to understand what it’s like to work in a specific career is to shadow an expert for a week. Ask someone you know that works in the field you’re interested in if you can follow them for a week. But remember that they would be doing you a favor, so make sure you find a way to be useful.
Use What You Have
Everyone has a few skills that are in demand. If you love social media, you could quickly learn to be a social media manager. If you love writing, you could write copy for ads or blog content for websites. Even if you’re a freshman, you have skills that are useful and desirable to someone.
Explore Your Network
Ask your parents, family, and friends for help getting the right internship. A referral is one of the best ways of getting an internship, and you never know who might be able to help you out.
Wait For It
It may be tempting to just accept the first offer you receive, but don’t do it! Wait for an opportunity that fits with what you want from an internship. An internship should be a way to grow, and taking the wrong internship could make you hate a career path that you might have previously wanted.
Prepare Ahead
Make sure you have several versions of your resume and CV and several recommendation letters from varied sources. Practice your interview skills and be prepared ahead of time.
Summer is the ideal time to explore new opportunities and develop new skills. Whether you're seeking a job to earn some extra cash, a position that aligns with your interests, or an internship that jumpstarts your career, this article has addressed many of your concerns. If you require assistance with your academic work or a resume writing service before the summer commences, the professionals at Studyfy are here to assist you.
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