What Is the Right Summer Job For You?
Start writing a post
Student Life

What Is the Right Summer Job For You?

They all pretty much suck.

7
What Is the Right Summer Job For You?
Look Sharp

There are a lot of things to look forward to when being a teenager/young adult. Looking forward to more freedom, getting a license, being on your own, eventually being able to drink legally, being entrusted with more things, etc. I'm sure you can imagine.

But just in the midst of starting to enjoy all this stuff, you start to realize that all this crap costs money. And on top of all this stuff, your school doesn't give you books to use for the year. Oh, and also, now you have to pay for school. Honestly, anything you want now is going to have to be paid for by you. That doesn't necessarily mean you, alone, but you're going to have to put up a big chunk of money for all this new stuff. Trust me, during college you'll probably spend a month's worth of tuition on booze. So now is the time to explore your options for jobs. None of them are that great, but you have to start somewhere and that somewhere is pretty typically the bottom.

1. Nanny

Probably the most lucrative job but also the most time consuming. People are literally trusting you with their offspring. Like, the thing they love most in the world, they are giving to you anywhere from 1 to 23 hours of the day. They are going to pay you the big bucks so they can ensure you don't, you know, kill their kid, but they are also going to expect a lot out of you. You are now the stand-in parent, and chances are, you will look like a single parent. Get ready for your friends to mock you for that, and the car seats in the back of your car. The only question is, is it worth it to you?

Typical salary: somewhere from $10-$20 an hour

(The lesser of nannying is being a camp counselor) Still have to be around kids all day, but you also get to hang out with people your age. Pay: probably around $10 an hour

2.Caddying/working at a Country Club

If you can get into a country club, do it. Caddying is typically reserved for guys, god knows why, but people who like golf pay through the nose to not have to carry around their golf bag. Also, a country club points to some sort of wealth, so any job you can get is doubled when it's for a country club. And the tips are going to be great.

Typical salary: $10-$15 an hour, plus tips and more for caddies

3. Waitress/waiter

This job is possibly the third highest paying job if, and only if, you're good. It involves good memory, a lot of walking and a sh*t ton of fake smiling. If you're any good and you work at a good restaurant it's likely you'll make good tips. The salary is crap though, so this job is really only worth it, if No. 1, you have no experience and can't get anything else. No. 2, if you live in a rich town, and No. 3, if you're hot and know how to manipulate people.

Typical salary: $5-$10 an hour

3. Mom and Pop Shop

If you can get a job working for a local business, you are getting a better deal than anyone working for a franchise. They are typically more relaxed, they may pay under the table (which is awesome), and it's probably more fun. Now something you may covet in working is a lax boss, as they can become the bane of your existence. And no franchise will have a chill boss because they are under strict rules from the corporate managers. Mom and Pop shops get their own rules, and they understand that you are a human not a work robot.

Typical salary: around $10 an hour

4. Odd jobs

Odd jobs are awesome, especially if you only have little time during the summer to work. They are sporadic, and you can pick pretty much when you want to do them. Unfortunately, that's not a steady stream of cash, and they can be obnoxious jobs, like, watering flowers, building sheds or fences, washing cars, babysitting, mowing lawns, watching pets, etc. You can imagine. A lot of it is brunt work that other people don't want to do. There is no real typical salary, but you can try to negotiate these, which is nice.

5. Lifeguard

This requires a lot of training, but you get to sit in the sun and tan all day -- or burn. You make that call yourself. It has all the makings of a very easy job, because drowning is rare, but there are people lives in your hands so make sure it's worth it.

Typical pay: $10-$15, and again, higher if at a country club

6. Retail/franchise

These jobs suck. They don't pay well, they set your hours, and the tips are crummy because you're sharing it with a bunch of other people. Also, you need to give two weeks notice for any vacation time. What teenager really knows what they will be doing in two weeks? If you can avoid it, do not work at places like Dunkin' Donuts or McDonalds or clothing stores like American Eagle or Victoria's Secret.

Typical salary: $10 an hour, minus taxes

And finally, there's always the internship. It's leading you into a career, but it's probably unpaid. Good luck.

So, pick your job wisely. Think about the money, the time and how much effort the job really takes. Having any one of these crappy jobs is going to give you time to think about what you really want to do for your career, so pick wisely, and enjoy your time on the bottom of the totem pole; it can only go up from here.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

16825
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

945959
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

122721
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments