Why Should I Get a Summer Job? How Do I Find One?

A summer job is an opportunity to gain first-hand experience in an industry you may
want to enter. It offers you the chance to “taste test” a prospective career and build
valuable contacts.

Why Get a Summer Job?

Gain critical skills like time management, communication, teamwork, and decision-making.
Build your resume with professional experience that will help you land future jobs and internships.
Learn how a workplace operates and how leadership is structured.
Develop your network – those connections will likely help you land a job after graduation.
See what you like and don’t like about a role or company. A takeaway from a job may be that you want to do something else – that is a valuable insight too.

How Do I Find a Publicly Advertised Job?

Your school guidance office staff can help you with job search advice. There may be a
bulletin board with job postings, a notebook with listings, and/or an online job board.
Consider places where you are curious to learn more about what they do
Seasonal jobs, like outdoor services and care are often particularly open to hiring teens and young adults.
Target specific openings listed on companies’ websites.
Search more broadly on general sites including Indeed, SimplyHired, and ZipRecruiter.

How Do I Find a “Hidden” Job?

Share your interests with friends, neighbors, relatives, teachers, and other influential people
who may alert you to openings or refer you to hiring managers.
Consider jobs in your neighborhood like lawn care or site cleanup. You can
ask around or put up flyers on local bulletin boards to advertise your services.
Meet new people at career-related events or job fairs.
Follow companies on social media to learn about openings.

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