Now that it’s summer, college students are looking forward to freedom. Unfortunately, that also means having enough cash for those fun summer activities.
Related: How to make your money last all semester long
Getting a summer job is the perfect opportunity to beef up that resume for your future, but which summer jobs should you pursue?
From traditional to out-of-the-box summer job opportunities, you are bound to find a good fit with one of these nine ideas:
1. Travel blogger
Those with a taste for adventure (and a significant social media following) may find themselves leaning towards travel blogging. By working with various travel publications and using their own social platforms, travel bloggers can talk about their travel experiences down to the minute.
This could be in the form of a vlog, weekly blog, or a social media account that showcases their adventures.
Freelance writers and bloggers typically earn an hourly wage of $24; however, this number fluctuates depending on the blogger’s ability to incorporate advertising revenue.
2. Sales associate
Got a knack for persuasion and helpfulness? Perhaps you should try working in retail.
From clothing stores to galleries, furniture, outdoor shops, and everything in between, there are endless possibilities for sales associate positions — especially if they offer commission-based earnings.
Students interested in finance, sales, marketing, or business often drift towards a sales associate role, but these positions are also a great fit for someone wanting a low-pressure summer job.
According to PayScale, the average hourly wage is $10 an hour. This number may change depending on the store and the possibility of earning commission.
3. Photographer
If you have an eye for capturing beautiful moments and have a solid camera (i.e. a good DSLR), try reaching out to local photographers to see if there’s an opportunity to be an assistant.
Keep in mind that this would require a flexible schedule because you will often work night events and weekends.
On the other hand, you could always start your own photography business by taking your friends’ headshots. Social media is a great place to showcase smaller businesses!
4. Camp counselor
If you are a leader who enjoys spending time with children, organizing outdoor activities, and overseeing fun — then this might be perfect for you. You can even gear this job towards benefitting your future.
For example, if you are a science major, consider applying to a science camp. If you are more creative, then an arts-focused camp may be the way to go.
Additionally, this summer position is worthwhile for those who are interested in a teaching career. The average pay for a camp counselor is between $8 – $13 an hour.
Photo by Mike Erskine on Unsplash
5. Lifeguard
Summer is the season for pools and beaches; therefore, tons of summer jobs are available for strong swimmers. Community and neighborhood pools are usually in need of lifeguards, so ask around to see what is available.
Not only will you be keeping people safe, but you will also be enjoying the sun and maintaining your fitness at the same time. The average pay is $12 an hour.
6. Freelance designer
If you have a killer understanding of computers, web design, Photoshop, and/or enjoy coding, then becoming a freelance designer over the summer may be ideal.
Rather than working regular 9-5 hours at a company, you have the flexibility of working from home. Just make sure you have the self-discipline to create your own hours and stick to them!
$26.99 is the average hourly rate for this position.
7. Tutor
For academically-minded students, tutoring services are available online. This means you are no longer limited by your location; you can choose to work for a company like Chegg Tutoring or cultivate your own clients from college.
Either way, tutoring is a great job with a fantastic means of teaching and helping others. If you have the patience, skillset, and ability to teach others, this position offers an average hourly wage of $19.
8. Barista or server
This role helps you build social skills while working as a team. You may think that a serving position does not have the glitz and glamor of other summer jobs, but it keeps you active and trains you to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Depending on the restaurant or cafe, servers can make more money than other summer positions. Although tips can increase this amount, servers typically earn approximately $9 an hour.
9. Intern
Why not apply for a summer internship at a company you see yourself working for in the future?
Gain experience and begin networking with the right people early on. This wage will depend on the industry you pursue and the possibility of sacrificing pay for experience.
For more summer job ideas, check out Indeed to see what opportunities are best suited for you!
And don’t forget the fun doesn’t stop when summer is over; check out our post about the best jobs on campus.
