Summer jobs are rite of passage for many American teenagers. Regardless of your motivation for finding a job, let us help you through the job hunting process with the following five tips.
Identify your Goals for Working. Whether you're saving up for college, trying to earn a little spending money, or simply seeking a job as a social outlet or a way to begin building your work history, identifying your summer employment goals will help you determine how many hours you can comfortably invest in a job and what hourly wage you should seek.
Consider a Part-Time Job. Once you know how many summer school courses you're taking, calculate how much time you'll need to study, complete homework and tests, and get good scores. Allow time for family and a social life, then determine whether a part-time job or full-time gig best fits your schedule and free time.
Budget Your Time Wisely. If you notice you're working too many late shifts, filling in for others more than you'd like, or your manager is overscheduling you, there's no shame in speaking up. Your education comes first, and your boss and co-workers will respect that. You'll also respect yourself more for standing your ground and refusing to let your schoolwork suffer.
Look for Internships. Internships are available everywhere you look, often in part-time opportunities. Some come with compensation, and others offer just experience. In either case, interning in a professional environment will give you a sense of what will be expected of you in the future and how workplaces operate. Finding an internship in a field that interests you, such as working as a candy striper at a local hospital while you consider a career in medicine, is icing on the cake.
Do Something Fun. Going to a job that doesn't feel like work will help prevent stress and allow you to focus your main attention on your school work. Any summer job that you have to "take home," literally or figuratively, is probably not the best option for you.