Best Summer Jobs for College Students!

Summer is made for fun, but it doesn’t mean that there aren’t summer jobs that can fit the bill (and pay the bill). If you’re looking to make some extra bucks, boost your resume, or explore your passions, we’re here to share a list of some of the best summer jobs for college students.

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Why Have a Summer Job?

Every college student has their own reason for taking up a job on what is theoretically supposed to be their free time off. Some common motivating factors to have a summer job include:

Make Money

Obviously, having a job means getting a paycheck. For many college students, earning extra cash during the summer is incentive enough. This money can be saved to help pay for college, cover living expenses, or take care of any other responsibilities.

Learn New Skills

College summer jobs can be more than fun and profitable, they often teach new skills. Regardless of what kind of job you get, you’ll definitely be able to foster your time management skills and communication skills. All of these skills bode well for your academic and professional careers.

Explore Passions

College students may be up in the air about what they want to major in or what kind of career they wish to have. Picking up a summer job as a college student can help you to explore what you’re passionate about.

Build a Network

As a college student, it’s of great importance to building a professional network that you can leverage once you earn your degree. This can be done through internships or summer jobs for students.

Boost Your Resume

Last but not least, having a summer job is something you get to put on your resume that showcases to future prospective employers that you are responsible and have work experience.

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Fun Summer Jobs for College Students

From online summer jobs to in-person opportunities, there are a lot of cool and high-paying summer jobs to choose from.

Here’s a look at some options:

1. Online Tutor

Becoming a tutor is a very rewarding and even lucrative summer job. Online tutors get to help high-school and lower-level college students to better understand their topic of study. It’s possible to sign up for a digital tutoring website that helps to connect you to clients or advertise to your own circle or online to attract clients yourself. PayScale reports that online tutors earn an average of $18.28 per hour. 

2. Nanny

Have a knack or interest in looking after kids? Nannies are responsible for helping kids to do their day-to-day activities, whether it be finishing up homework, getting to and from extracurriculars, eating lunch and dinner, or getting ready for bed. The rate for nannies depends on location, experience, and hours needed.

3. Lifeguard

When you think of a hot summer day, images of beaches and pools probably come to mind. If you want to spend much of your time by the water while still getting paid, you can consider becoming a lifeguard. Lifeguards don’t exactly earn the highest hourly wages, but they can increase their earning potential with more certifications, such as by having a CPR certification. To become a certified lifeguard, you’ll have to undergo some rigorous training, so it certainly helps to be in shape.

4. Dog Walker

If you’re looking for a job that affords you time outdoors, then becoming a dog walker could be the gig for you. It has a lot of flexibility, and as a dog lover, what’s more fun than spending time with furry friends? In California, dog walkers earn an average hourly wage of $15.30, and the hourly rate you earn will depend heavily on where you are working.

5. Camp Counselor

Speaking of fun outdoor jobs, camp counselors may be one of the best options for you. Camp counselors are responsible for organizing activities for campers and ensuring that everyone is safe and accounted for. Depending on what you are interested in, you can find work at a camp that is aligned with your favorite activities, such as a sports camp, science camp, sleepaway camp, or anything else. PayScale reports that the average hourly wage for a camp counselor is $10.23 in the U.S. 

6. Farmhand

If you’re located in a rural area, you can find a job feeding and care for animals as a farm hand. Remember that if you choose to be a farmhand, you will be expected to perform highly physical work. Farmhands earn an average hourly rate of $12.43.

7. Retail Associate

Perhaps you prefer to be indoors and work with people. For those with a calling for fashion, becoming a retail associate is a great option. It certainly helps you to hone your communication and organization skills as you interact with customers, manage the checkout process, and ensure that the store is tidy and presentable. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that this position earns an average of $14.00 per hour. 

8. On-Demand Freelancer

For a fun summer job for college students with immense flexibility, you can become an on-demand freelancer for a multitude of purposes. For example, you can be a freelance writer or graphic designer. You could also choose to drive for services like Lyft or Uber. Being an on-demand freelancer makes it possible to juggle all your other responsibilities while earning money in your free time.

Considerations for Your Job Search

As you can see, this very abbreviated list shows you that you have a lot of options when it comes to finding the best summer jobs for college students. Along your search, be sure to consider the:

• Pay
• Required time commitment
• Schedule
• Your experience

The Bottom Line

You’re now equipped with some ideas about the best summer jobs for college students. Now, it’s up to you to decide which college job suits your desires, minimum wage requirement, and schedule.

While you’re working during your summer, don’t forget to make some time and have some fun so you can recharge before you go back to college or enter the workforce full-time!