Top 10 Summer Jobs For College Students

Jobs for College Students to Make the Summer Fun

For many college students, enjoying summer means having enough cash for fun activities. But summer is also a great time to gain work experience and beef up resumes. Whether you're looking for a part-time job in your hometown or an internship at a big name company, this guide can help you find a good summer job and potentially turn it into something more. Keep reading to get some ideas about possible summer jobs, learn more about top companies that hire college students for the summer and get expert tips on how to turn a summer gig into a career post graduation.

Top Summer Jobs and Companies List

• Lifeguard
• Nanny
• Camp Counselor
• Sale Associate
• Food Server
• Travel Blogger
• Freelance Web Designer
• Online Tutor
• Touring Musician
• Business Owner
• Facebook
• Under Armour
• L'Oreal
• Bloomberg L.P.
• Google

5 Summer Jobs for College Students

With summer break just around the corner, many college students will be looking for seasonal and short-term jobs for extra cash, to stay busy or to beef up their resume. For those looking for a summertime gig, the following jobs have been longtime go-tos for many young adults:

• Lifeguard

  Because summer is the busiest season for pools and beaches, tons of summer jobs exist for strong swimmers who are home for the warmer months. Lots of positions can be found at community and neighborhood pools, while those who live near the coastline can also find positions at public beaches. These jobs are a great opportunity to build your fitness, keep people safe and be outdoors to enjoy some fun in the sun. The average hourly wage for lifeguards is $9.31, but those with certifications or previous experience may be able to earn a bit more.

• Nanny

  Being a nanny over the summer offers lots of different opportunities for qualified students. Those seeking a bit of adventure may find positions as overseas au pairs, while students hoping to stay in the city of their college or return to their hometown can find plenty of positions as parents scramble to arrange activities and find care for their children while school is out. Students who enjoy spending time with kids, staying active and being outdoors can spend their summer making money without even feeling like they're working. PayScale estimates that nannies make about $14.56 per hour.

• Camp Counselor

  Students who enjoy spending their time with children, being a leader and overseeing fun, outdoor activities are often the perfect fit for camp counselor positions. Depending on the type of camp, a counselor role can also benefit students in their future careers. Individuals studying science, for example, can work at a science camp, while those with a creative flair can work at an arts-focused summer program. It's also a natural fit for teachers-in-training. PayScale states that the hourly average wage for camp counselors is $9.28, but those with multiple years of experience or specific academic backgrounds may be eligible to earn more.

• Sales Associate

  Whether working at a clothing store, pop-up boutique, outdoors shop or furniture gallery, students with a knack for persuasion and helpfulness often thrive and enjoy sales associate jobs – especially if they have commissions to incentivize their interactions with customers. Individuals interested in business, finance or sales/marketing often gravitate towards these roles, but they're also a great fit for anyone seeking a low-pressure summer position or even just a discount at their favorite store. The average wage is $10.20 hourly, but this number varies based on whether the store allows workers to earn commissions.

• Food Server

  Although it may not seem like the most glamorous way to spend a summer, working as wait staff allows students to build their social skills, stay active, enjoy free meals while working and possibly educate themselves about different cuisines. Depending on the restaurant and gratuity system, they may be able to make significantly more money than other positions. The job can be ideal for aspiring chefs or restaurant owners. However, food servers need to be on their feet for hours at a time and must be able to multi-task like pros, so take this into account before submitting an application. The median salary is $9.00 hourly, but tips can raise that number substantially.

5 Less-Conventional Summer Jobs for Students

Many students automatically think of the positions listed above when searching for a summer job, but some are now embracing the 21st century and thinking outside the box when it comes to how they make money during their summer break. According to freelance expert Vince Massara, approximately 50% of jobs are predicted to be freelance or “gig-based” by 2020. “The gig-based economy requires a brand new set of skills that may be a little different from what students get taught in school,” he notes. “Why not start learning these skills for the new workforce early with a summer job?”

Those looking for something a little different might want to considering the following jobs. Students can also check out ACO's Guide to Side Hustles for more ideas.

• Travel Blogger

  Students with a significant social media following and a taste for adventure can find work with various travel publications or by using their own platform to traverse the world and catalog their explorations. Students choosing this path may write a weekly column, provide daily vlogs or use Instagram to share sponsored locations throughout their journey. This summer job offers exciting possibilities for students who don't want to stay put during their summer vacation. According to PayScale, freelance writers and bloggers make a median hourly salary of $24.10, but this number can go higher if the student brings in advertising revenue.
  

• Freelance Web Designer

  If you have a knack for computers, an understanding of website platforms like WordPress and Squarespace, and enjoy coding, a freelance position as a web designer could be a great summer job. Rather than clocking in at a 9-5 position, freelance web designers create their own hours to take on work from a variety of clients. They may design a new website, update an existing page, install new widgets and apps, or help clients maximize their presence on the web. Glassdoor reports the average hourly base pay for freelancer web designers is $26.99.
  

• Online Tutor

  Traditional tutoring has long been a way for academically-minded students to make money over their summer vacations, but thanks to the Internet, tutoring opportunities have expanded. Whether taking a seasonal job from a company like Chegg Tutoring or finding some of your own clients at college or from your hometown high school, tutoring is a great job for students with area expertise and an ability to teach others. A PayScale report found that online tutors make an average hourly wage of $19.57.
  

• Touring Musician

  Students studying music at college or who are able to play an instrument particularly well may be able to find work as a touring musician during the summer months. Many bands and musical groups play at festivals and other events during the warmer months and need additional musicians and singers to create a full sound. Depending on the group, students may be able to continue touring during the weekends once they start back at school in the fall. PayScale reports that musicians and singers earn a median hourly wage of $42.92.
  

• Business Owner

  Students with an entrepreneurial spirit often launch their first business in college, and for good reason. With access to so many resources and expert advice, students can incubate their concept without some of the usual startup costs. Lots of students have businesses of their own that mainly exist in the summer, ranging from selling items on eBay to providing graphic design, illustration or content development services. Pay varies significantly by industry, but PayScale says $25.43 is the average hourly rate for small business owners.

Top 5 Companies for Student Internships

Let's not forget about summer internships. Thousands of companies offer internship programs each summer, but some stand out more than others. When looking at a prospective company and internship opportunity, students should ensure the program allows them to work on projects that stretch their skills and knowledge, provides a tangible line on the resume, and offers the chance to forge connections. The companies highlighted below are the top examples but even if you're unable to land an internship with one of these big names, reviewing them should give you an idea of what's out there.

• Facebook

  According to a CNBC insider look at Facebook summer jobs, interns make $8,000 per month and receive tons of perks along the way. A few of these include free housing, transportation and food – not to mention the opportunity to take part in fun weekend activities like beach days, baseball games and visits to the zoo. Interns participate in lots of activities meant to build their resumes, including special projects, mentorships, weekly Q&A sessions with executives and information seminars about getting more involved in the company after graduation.
  

• Under Armour

  Students may first think of sports apparel and footwear when they hear Under Armour, but this massive retail store offers internships for students with backgrounds in the arts and sciences, business, design, engineering and technology. The company has numerous locations throughout the U.S. and allows students to take part in a self-driven project that has real business implications. They also receive a mentor, access to learning seminars and frequent executive Q&A sessions. According to Glassdoor, Under Armour interns make between $10 and $20 per hour.
  

• L'Oreal

  
  First founded in France more than a century ago, today L'Oreal is a multinational beauty and personal products corporation that accepts interns in a variety of business functions. Its summer internship lasts 10 weeks and helps students build skills in areas of teamwork, priority management and public speaking. Students also have the chance to take part in lunchtime learning sessions with L'Oreal leaders. Interns seeking a longer-term option can take part in a 54-week industrial placement. Most L'Oreal interns earn approximately $20 per hour, according to Glassdoor.
  

• Bloomberg L.P.

  From its headquarters in New York City, Bloomberg operates as a media and data company and also sells financial software. Interns can apply to positions based in North America as well as Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East. Most last 8 to 16 weeks, but some opportunities extend to two years. Areas of focus include corporate functions, financial products, industry verticals, global data, news, research and technology. In addition to taking part in meaningful, hands-on projects, students receive feedback and advice about future career decisions from their managers. Hourly wages range between $25 and $45, depending on the area of focus.
  

• Google

  No list of internships would be complete without mentioning Google, as this hotspot is a perennial favorite amongst students and professionals alike. The Google internship program offers roles in areas of business development, product management, IT & data management, and software engineering to name but a few. Competition is fierce, as the company receives 40,000 applications annually and takes just 1,500 interns. Students work alongside other interns and receive one-to-one mentoring during their time there. They get to make a lasting impact on the company while also building skills and creating community. Glassdoor estimates Google interns earn between $6,500 and $8,500 a month.

Tips for Finding a Good Summer Job

Even if college students don't have an extensive resume showing prior work experience, that doesn't mean they aren't in contention for interesting and/or career-propelling summer jobs. The key is to leverage your network, think creatively and not give up. Experts Vince Massara and Kristen Moon share their tips for finding a worthwhile summer job or internship in the following section.

Thinking Beyond Summer

Unless they're about to graduate, most college students don't think beyond a summer job, which can sometimes be a mistake. It's never too early to start thinking about your career post-graduation. While any short-term summer job can put extra money in the bank, a carefully thought out summer job can help bring you one step closer to your dream career. The tips below can help students turn a summer gig into something more:

• Use LinkedIn to your advantage

  “LinkedIn is a great way to stay in touch with employers and colleagues,” says Moon. “During an internship or summer job, be sure to connect with peers and managers – once you leave, stay in touch and let employers see all the great things you're up to while in college.” Moon suggests students think of their LinkedIn as an online portfolio. “Ask for recommendations and get endorsed for skills; stay in touch and nurture the relationships made over the summer. After college, it might lead to a career opportunity.”

• Make yourself irreplaceable

  “Don't just do the job requirements, always try to add a little more as managers will take notice of this,” encourages Moon. “You're only there for the summer, so push yourself, look for opportunities and try to create new ones.” Students who hope to receive an employment offer from a summer job must use their short amount of time there to show what they bring to the table. “Many times, one opportunity leads to the next,” says Moon. “It's important to give 110% of yourself each and every day.”

• Treat an internship like a real job

  Even though you may only be there 8-12 weeks, that doesn't mean you shouldn't treat an internship like a real job. Make sure you get up early each morning and have time to eat breakfast, exercise and follow any routine that gets you prepared for the day. Show up on time (or even a little early) each day, ready to work. Turn in projects by their due dates, follow up with colleagues or peers regarding any unanswered questions and provide timely updates to your supervisors.

• Dress to impress

  While jeans and a t-shirt usually make up the average college student's wardrobe, chances are this outfit won't make the cut for certain summer jobs and internships. Professional organizations will likely require interns and employees to dress in business casual, while retail and restaurant positions often provide uniforms for their workers. Appearance can make a big difference in how supervisors and managers perceive students, so it's worth it to polish shoes and make sure clothes are wrinkle-free.

• Take advantage of any professional perks

  As evidenced earlier, lots of companies offer stellar perks for summer interns. While the free coffee and food may initially seem most appealing, don't forget to take advantage of all the professional training on offer. If your company hosts an informal question and answer session with the top brass, make time to attend. If they host a conference for other business leaders, ask if you can go and help out. At the end of your time, ask your supervisor to sit down with you and discuss your strengths and weaknesses. All of these experiences help you become a more self-aware and well-rounded job candidate in the future.

• Take stock of the skills you learn

  All jobs – from being a barista at the local café to being an intern at Google – teach students new skills that can be applied to future jobs and can be talked about in future job interviews. After you've left a summer job or internship, take some time to reflect on your recent experience and list out the high-level skills you learned. For example, if you were a barista, you're probably able to make one amazing cup of coffee but maybe you also trained several new employees or were recognized for your outstanding customer service. These are great skills to highlight and can be applied to many different job settings.

Resources for Finding a Summer Job

• Glassdoor
• Indeed
• Job.net
• LinkedIn
• SimplyHired
• ZipRecruiter