While some students may want to wait until the semester is finished before even thinking about a summer job, that could leave you without any job or with a less-than-desirable job this summer. If you haven’t already lined up your summer work, don’t wait any longer. 
Why should you consider a summer job?
- Earn money to spend.
- Earn money to save.
- Develop skills ranging from problem solving to communication.
- Learn about the job search process.
- Learn about employers and career fields.
- Make connections and network.
- Gain workplace experience.
- Build your confidence.
- Develop strong work ethic.
- Eliminate summer boredom.
Here are eight types of summer jobs that are popular with college students.
Internships
The ideal situation is to work in an internship that is related to the career you wish to pursue. This will give you experience, enable you to determine if the career is a good fit for you, and potentially earn money doing this. While many employers may already have hired their interns for the summer, some positions may still be open. JobTracks on the Career Center’s website is a good starting point to discover internships: https://www.myinterfase.com/missouristate/Account/LogOn
Summer camps
Summer camps typically offer a variety of positions. Your area YMCA is one starting point. For example, the Ozarks Regional YMCA’s Camp Wakonda typically lists available positions on their website: http://bit.ly/1yAnIqV.
Also take a look at your city or county’s park board. In Springfield, for example, the Springfield-Greene County Park Board posts an online application for summer positions: http://bit.ly/1FSLADw.
Amusement parks and attractions
Because most amusement parks are seasonal, many of their staff come from students working during the summer. For example, Silver Dollar City in Branson hires for positions ranging from tickets to food service: http://bit.ly/1FYugQ6. Worlds of Fun in Kansas City (https://www.worldsoffun.com/jobs) and Six Flags St. Louis (http://bit.ly/1Hy8XqP) also have a variety of seasonal jobs. For individuals craving some excitement, CoolWorks.com is a website you might explore. Jobs range from working in national parks to resorts to ranches. You can search by type of position as well as by location.
Restaurant and hospitality
For many people, summer means vacation, which often equates to traveling, staying in hotels/motels, and eating out. This often translates to increased hiring needs. Hcareers.com is a niche job board dedicated to hotel and hospitality jobs. Summer is a time when many people take on projects around their homes, so retailers such as home improvement stores and gardening centers often have a need for summer employees.
Landscaping and lawn service
Just as summer is often a time for home improvement, it also is peak growing season, which means more jobs in lawn maintenance and landscaping.
Childcare
Elementary students may be out of school, but often their parents still have to work. If you work with a nanny agency, you never should pay a fee; any fees should be paid by the family hiring the nanny.
You can find temporary jobs through—
- Career Center’s JobTracks (https://www.myinterfase.com/missouristate/Account/LogOn)
- Office of Student Employment (http://www.missouristate.edu/StudentEmp/)
- Missouri Division of Workforce Development Career Centers (http://jobs.mo.gov/)
- job boards and job sites such as com
Students in St. Louis or Kansas City might want to check out the Summer Job League: https://summerjobs.mo.gov/summerjobs. Established by the Missouri Division of Workforce Development, this program aims to help income-eligible youth between the ages of 16 and 24 obtain summer work experience.
It’s not too late to get a summer job, but the clock is ticking. A summer job offers more than a paycheck, so use this opportunity also to gain experience, develop skills, and build relationships.
(Valerie Kidd, ValerieTurner@MissouriState.edu, Career Resources Specialist, Missouri State Career Center)