The Best Summer Jobs For Students

The best summer jobs for students include online side-hustles, internships, tutoring and hospitality.

For some, summer is a time to relax, soak up the sun, and just chill. For others, it’s a time to get hustling and make some extra money.

Summer jobs can be a great way to put you ahead financially: they're short-term, flexible and a lot of the time, can help boost your CV.

Whilst you might feel like finding a summer job can be intimidating. Don’t sweat it. We’ve scoped out the best jobs that strike the perfect balance between professional growth and allowing time for seasonal fun.

What Are The Benefits Of Summer Jobs?

Summer jobs can be a great way to develop skills outside of the classroom. They can be great tools to get some work experience, which is super useful when you leave university.

Beyond personal and professional growth, the main reason you might want to get a summer job is to make some extra cash. We get it, life is expensive and the more you earn, the more you can do!

Where Can I Find A Student Summer Job?

If you decide that you want a summer job, the first thing to do is think about what you're looking for.

Whether you want regular income, an internship, or flexible work, deciding this early on can help focus the search process. While it’s great to have your own criteria for what kind of summer job you want, it’s important not to be overly picky.

Once you know what you want, start looking at online part-time job platforms and university career offices. These are great places to start your search.

What Are The Best Summer Jobs For Students?

First, if you are considering getting any summer job, you have to be organised and start your applications early.

Deadlines for summer work experience placements tend to fall between January and April. If you’re considering working abroad, you need to be even more prepared.

Let’s take a look at some of the best summer jobs for students:

Internships

For those serious about using their summer to gain industry-specific knowledge, internships are a great option.

A lot of companies offer summer jobs for students, which provide them with hands-on experience and networking opportunities. This can be a great benefit to yourself, and to your CV.

So, whatever sector you want to pursue, applying for internships will help you build up valuable experience for your future career. The biggest downside to internships is that a lot of them are unpaid. This makes them more about the experience than it does about income.

Retail or Hospitality

Lots of businesses, including places like restaurants, clothing stores and bars, look to employ some extra hands during the busy summer period.

Retail and hospitality can be great options for those looking for regular work.

Not only do they provide a steady income, but they also allow you to develop your customer service and business experience.

These kinds of jobs also offer a great way to meet new people and make new friends, which is always a bonus, especially if you're working near home.

Depending on which retail or hospitality spot you manage to work for, you might find that there’s a decent balance between work and leisure. Just be prepared for it to be more of a work-hard type of summer.

University Jobs

Whilst you may forget about your university campus in the summer months, by staying on-site, you could take advantage of the temporary jobs that are available during this period.

These campuses will have cafes, libraries and bars that need extra hands. Just visit your university’s job shop to find out what's available over the summer season.

Teaching English

If you fancy a summer abroad (don’t we all!), teaching English as a foreign language can be a great way to combine a summer job with a trip overseas.

If you have a degree, you can apply to complete a teaching certificate through platforms like TEFL.

Once completed, simply search for international TEFL opportunities around the world to take part in. This is one of the better summer jobs because it gives you life experience while also providing you with a means to make a decent income.

Find Online Work

For those wanting to maximise income and remain flexible, online work is a great option.

Whether it's writing, tutoring or surveys, working online allows you to work at the time and pace that suits you.

If you're unsure where to start, job platforms can be a great tool for finding the right role.

These platforms allow you to search relevant listings and find the jobs that suit your interests and time. Most online work opportunities are also relatively easy, making it a great way to work during your summer break while also finding a way to enjoy yourself too.

Some online side-hustles include:

• Copywriting
• Translating
• Surveys
• Tutoring
• Transcribing

And more!

Work For Family and Friends

Another good place to look is with family and friends. The summer months mean kids are out of school, and parents might be more likely to pay for services like babysitting or child-minding during the day.

If you can, you could also offer to help with housework, clean cars, windows or even walk dogs. Sometimes the right student job is just under your nose, right with your family and friends!

Local Attractions

Wherever you live, there will likely be a local attraction or event nearby this summer. Whether it's a music festival or food event, you can apply to work there as part of the crew.

These roles are often very flexible and allow you to experience new things.

Considering it’s more casual work, you’ll be able to enjoy your summer while also making money here and there for certain events. You may even get perks like free tickets, allowing you to save on entertainment and earn money simultaneously!

Summer Jobs: Finding The best Ones

While everyone wants to enjoy their summer, it’s hard to deny that it’s a great time to try and earn extra cash, or if you’re that kind of person, gain some work experience.

There are so many opportunities out there that are worth taking advantage of this summer break.

You’ll find that not all summer jobs have to be boring. Look for something that excites you, even if it’s a little. But don’t leave it too late. Start preparing for a summer job way ahead of time, especially if you plan on going abroad.

Want to find a summer job near you? Sign up with Prograd and get started today!