What are the best summer jobs for college students? Summer break is a great time for having fun, hitting the beaches, and hanging with your friends. But more often than not, it is also a great opportunity to make some extra cash. More and more college students nowadays choose to spend their summers doing something productive that can increase their incomes.
If you have great writing skills, you can always work for us (just send an email with your resume attached). We would like to present you with a list we have compiled of the top 8 summer jobs for college students, in a style similar to our list of the 10 best summer jobs for college students in New York City. The jobs were ranked according to the pay per hour. Most jobs on our list are also suitable for high-school students or people looking for a way to make some extra cash.
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8. 10 best summer jobs for 16 year olds
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We are confident that you are going to find the summer job that’s right for you in one of these 9 articles. There are tons of summer jobs ideas for college students (whether you are looking for a summer job where you travel, or you are a business student, or you have no experience) in these article. In this countdown we will take a look at the top summer jobs for an average college student:
No. 8: Bartender
Public Domain Image: Public Domain
Pay per hour: $9
Prerequisites: none
Bartending is probably the job of choice for most college students looking for summer employment, but it is not the best paying on our countdown (well, if you’re not counting tips as well). It’s the perfect job for those who love the night life, but working late hours can certainly become tiresome at times.
No. 7: Landscaper
Pay per hour: $11.41
Prerequisites: none (a driver’s license might be required)
Summer is best spent outdoors and you can certainly manage this if you decide to become a landscaper. Job responsibilities vary according to the employer, but most of the time it involves driving equipment around or arranging outdoor displays or gardens.
No. 6: Customer Service Representative
Pay per hour: $14.65
Prerequisites: high school diploma (or equivalent)
Students with patience and great phone demeanor can look for a job as a customer service representative. Dealing with demanding customers on a daily basis can become a hassle at times, but it does pay very well for a summer job.
No. 5: Fitness Trainer & Instructor
Pay per hour: $14.95
Prerequisites: high school diploma (or equivalent)
After a semester of sitting down listening to lectures, any college student should ensure that they stay active throughout the summer. For those who are fitness enthusiasts, becoming an instructor or trainer is a valid choice. Being in shape and great stamina can also be considered prerequisites for this type of job.
No. 4: Account & Bill Collector
Pay per hour: $15.05
Prerequisites: high school diploma (or equivalent)
For students who have an eye for detail and a fondness of numbers, becoming an account and bill collector is a great summer job. This type of job is particularly useful for those students who are already majoring in finance and accounting as it can provide them with much needed practice.
No. 3: Model
Pay per hour: $15.83 (it varies)
Prerequisites: none
If you have a thing for fashion and the spotlight, you can definitely give modeling a try. It is a job suitable for both men and women. While landing a job on the catwalk might be somewhat difficult, there are a number of positions you could occupy as a model: posing for stores and magazines, starring in commercials, and so on.
No. 2: Dispatcher (Police, Firefighters, and Ambulance)
Pay per hour: $17
Prerequisites: high school diploma (or equivalent)
Financially speaking, being a dispatcher can be very rewarding for a college student. People skills, as well as conversational abilities are an absolute must for this job. People who can keep their calm under pressure and who can give out clear and straightforward advice are most suitable for working as a dispatcher.
No. 1: Carpenter
Pay per hour: $19
Prerequisites: high school diploma (or equivalent)
This job is great for anyone who loves working with their hands and it is the best paying summer job a college student could land. Manual skills, precision, and attentiveness are all required to be successful as a carpenter, but for those who enjoy building things from raw materials, it is the perfect choice.
Update: This article was originally published in November 2013 and updated on May 4th, 2018
