Career advancing summer work for students
Summer break is here, and with it, a wealth of students poised for a long summer post-GCSE, A-levels and University. If a summer job isn't on your child's horizon, they're not alone. According to the Labour Force Survey, 43 per cent of 16-17-year-olds studied and worked twenty-five years ago, compared with 21 per cent now.
The Pew Research Center found a similar decline in student employment in the US. Experts suggest this has occurred for several reasons, including the rise of the gig economy, digital technology, automation, and students choosing not to work, all of which have altered part-time employment opportunities.
Yet traditional part-time jobs still exist (see below), and summer work is a fantastic way for students to advance career development and gain valuable real-world experience.
Here are some of the best ideas for career-advancing summer jobs for students.
Field-specific experience
Seek internships related to a career interest, such as tech, marketing, healthcare, or finance. Unpaid internships, though competitive, can provide valuable experience and networking opportunities. Find an internship.
Retail and customer service jobs
These jobs require interpersonal skills, including communication, problem-solving, and customer service skills. They often provide flexible hours and the opportunity to work in diverse environments. Find a summer retail job.
Camp Counsellor
Skills gained leadership, responsibility, teamwork, and organizational skills. This role is particularly beneficial for those interested in education, sports, or psychology. Applications for this summer for Camp Leaders in the US are open for 2025. UK camp leaders are also needed at Super Camps.
Tutoring
Subject matter expertise is what's needed if you want to tutor children. Companies look for those who excel in academics and those considering a career in education. Join a tutoring company or set yourself up privately.
Hospitality
Skills gained include teamwork, multitasking, and customer service. Positions like waiter/waitress, host/hostess, or kitchen assistant can be particularly useful. Jobs at hotels, resorts, or event planning companies can be good for students looking for experience.
Entrepreneurial ventures
Starting a small business or online store can provide hands-on experience in business management, creativity, and problem-solving are all areas that. How to open an Etsy shop.
Building your career skills outside of a job
If you can't find a job or aren't keen to work this summer, you can also build career skills in various ways.
Volunteering
Community service, empathy, and specific skills related to volunteer work (e.g., environmental conservation and social work) will all benefit any student. Volunteering can also help teens build networks and gain experience for future paid positions.
Personal projects
Skills gained include taking the initiative, creativity, project management, and technical skills. Students could start a blog, create a YouTube channel, develop an app, or launch a podcast.
Extracurricular activities
Joining clubs, sports teams, or debate clubs can help with leadership, teamwork, time management, and organisational skills.
YouTube tutorials
YouTube is a fantastic resource for learning and developing career skills across various fields.
For tech and programming skills, The Net Ninja covers a range of coding tutorials, including JavaScript, React, Node.js, and more.
Gary Vaynerchuk shares advice on entrepreneurship, social media marketing, and business strategies.
TED Talks cover a wide range of topics, including business, leadership, and personal development.
The Speaker Lab offers tips and strategies for public speaking, creating presentations, and improving communication skills.
Training
First Tutors Business portal has a range of freelance business trainers offering help with subjects such as Finance, HR, management, and marketing.
Online courses for students or anyone looking for extra career-building skills can be found at Udemy and Coursera.
Both offer a range of career development courses, from building your interview skills to LinkedIn and critical thinking strategies.
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