Learning to Earn: Ideal Summer Jobs for Teens and the Lessons They Teach

Learn How to Be a Responsible Employee

Most teens start their professional journey as entry-level employees of established businesses such as grocery stores, movie theaters, restaurants, and recreation centers. Applying for these jobs familiarizes teens with typical job-seeking skills such as writing a concise and compelling résumé and cover letter, filling out job application forms online, and being interviewed on the phone and in person. Experience in a variety of entry-level jobs can also help teens identify what they like and do not like in a job, guiding their future job searches and career trajectories. Furthermore, working these summer jobs allows teens to gain experience in low-stakes roles while learning from more seasoned employees and managers. 

Summer jobs introduce teens to fundamental aspects of work and professionalism such as responsibility, dependability, collaboration, and work ethic. While on the job, teens will learn the importance of punctuality, efficiency, and attention to detail. They will also have numerous opportunities to practice and develop professional interpersonal skills such as effectively communicating with employers, coworkers, and customers or clients. 

Popular Entry-Level Jobs for Teens

• Grocery bagger or cashier
• Retail sales clerk
• Golf caddy
• Farmhand
• Server
• Barista
• Fast food cashier

Learn How to Be a Strong Leader

Older teens with more work experience will benefit from a job where they can take on more responsibility and practice valuable leadership skills such as decision-making, conflict resolution, and delegation. Additionally, leadership roles foster confidence, quick and innovative thinking, and adaptability. Leadership experience is an attractive résumé builder that can open the door to career progress and opportunities for professional growth. 

One way for teens to gain leadership experience is seeking a promotion in a workplace where they have already demonstrated their reliability and skill, such as by transitioning from a retail cashier to a shift lead at the same store. However, teens can also practice leadership skills in entry-level roles that require them to act in a position of authority over children or their peers. This type of role is commonly found in academic and recreational positions such as tutoring or coaching. 

Professional Leadership Roles for Teens

• Camp counselor
• Sports coach or assistant coach
• Lifeguard 
• Tutor 
• Fast food shift lead or manager
• Retail shift lead or manager

Learn How to Start a Business

An entrepreneurial job can be a fantastic option for teens with a high level of creativity and initiative. Teens who have a unique idea for a product or service and are excited by the idea of being their own boss may be interested in starting their own business. Entrepreneurial jobs can also work well for teens struggling in a saturated job market; if it’s difficult for them to find a job opening that aligns with their skills, interests, and availability, they can make their own opportunities. 

With entrepreneurship, the only limits are your own skills and creativity. A teen who is passionate about the school yearbook or has a knack for snapping stellar pictures for social media may excel at photography and photo editing for weddings, birthdays, senior photos, and baby portraits. A teen who loves spending time outside may thrive when mowing lawns or walking dogs. These types of jobs all require teens to practice networking and marketing their skills because they need to find their own clients or customers. In addition to connecting with clients, they will need to set their own prices, keep track of their own schedules and deadlines, and solve problems independently. 

Business Ideas for Teens

• Babysitting
• Making and selling art on Etsy, at farmer’s markets, or in other marketplaces
• Mowing lawns and providing other lawncare services
• Walking dogs
• Pet sitting or house sitting
• Photographing and photo editing for special events