I know summer jobs for most high school students can be pretty mundane. There’s only so much fun someone can have cleaning tables, putting groceries in a bag, or laying mulch and cutting grass. But here’s something to keep in mind, your summer job can have a bigger effect on you than you think. Think about what having a summer job can do for you -

Builds Work Ethic. Hopefully this is a skill you are acquiring whether you like your job or not. You should make a practice of showing up on time, being dependable, and going above and beyond the basic requirements of the job. These are skills employers want you to have.

Helps Find Your Fit. You may really enjoy your job or you may not like your job at all, but either way it will help you identify what your strengths are. You may find you are great working with people, or possibly that you are someone who likes to work alone. You may find that you sincerely dislike having a boss and want to be self-employed when you’re older. Not only focusing on what you like, but also what you dislike, will help you in deciding what future careers you want to consider.

Cultivates References. This is quite possibly the most important part of working as a teen. It’s never too early to start building your resume. Most employers will ask for a minimum of two or three work references when you apply for a job after college. It’s really important to impress the people you will use as references later on and to develop a strong relationship with them. It’s also not a bad idea to look for a summer job that is relevant to what you are studying in college. Being able to add relevant job experience to a resume can sometimes be as important as a college degree and give you a leg-up in a job search after college.

Creates Company Commitment. Many organizations like to hire from within. This means the longer you are dedicated to the company, the better chance you have of moving up the ladder. This is another reason why working a summer job relevant to your degree and possible future career field is important. Some top CEO’s started out as interns. With a little dedication and the help of a college degree, they were able to work themselves into leading the company they once interned for.

In this tight job market, you may be having trouble finding a summer job. If this is the case, consider community service. Volunteering offers you the chance to still do all these things, while helping others. Volunteering often exposes a person to new life experiences, which can lead you to becoming a well-rounded applicant in the fall. If volunteering doesn’t seem to fill up your time, consider job-shadowing as well. This is a great chance to see a variety of different careers in action. This too can help shape what your future goals may be.  

Think about making your summer job a little more relevant. I hope this is helpful and makes you think about what productive things you could be doing this summer. Make the most of it.

Focus on the future,

Rich