As summer approaches, many students are faced with the question of how to spend their long break. While there are countless activities to choose from, working is a popular option, and now is the perfect time to apply for a job. Whether you’re aiming to save up for college, gain work experience or just earn some extra pocket money, there’s a job out there for everyone. Here is a curated list of various summer jobs.

Lifeguard
With Texas’ scorching summer heat, pools and water parks are always in demand for lifeguards. Many local pools, YMCA locations and water parks like Schlitterbahn and Typhoon Texas hire teens with a lifeguard certification, and some facilities even offer training to help you get certified. Lifeguarding is a great job for teens – it pays well, keeps you active and helps you develop valuable skills like CPR, first aid and emergency response. Plus, it looks great on resumes and college applications, showing responsibility and leadership. With flexible hours and a fun work environment, lifeguarding is a perfect way to gain experience while making a difference.

Fast Food Restaurants

Restaurants, fast-food chains and even boba shops are always looking for extra hands during the busy summer months. These jobs teach teamwork, time management and customer service skills, which are valuable for any future career. Working as a barista or in food service also helps with multitasking, handling money and improving communication skills – all while offering flexible hours that work around summer plans.

Amusement Parks

Parks like Six Flags Over Texas and Kemah Boardwalk hire teens for ride operations, concessions and guest services. Working at an amusement park can be fun, and can offer employee discounts and free tickets for employees.

Babysitting & Pet Sitting

If you love kids or animals, babysitting or pet sitting can be a flexible and well-paying job with plenty of perks. You get to gain experience in responsibility and have fun playing with kids or caring for adorable pets. Many families go on vacation during the summer and need someone reliable to watch their pets, creating even more job opportunities. Parents often need childcare during work hours, so babysitting is a great way to stay busy over the summer. Some jobs may even include extra perks like free snacks, access to streaming services or getting paid to take kids to fun places like the pool or park.

Camp Counselor

Local summer camps, such as YMCA or JCC day camps, hire teens as counselors. This is a perfect fit if you enjoy working with kids and spending time outdoors. Additionally, many overnight camps are hiring in the months leading up to summer, and offer housing and food for the allotted time. This is a great opportunity to make lifelong memories and gain new experiences with children.

Landscaping & Outdoor Work

Mowing lawns, gardening and pressure-washing driveways are simple ways to make money in the summer. Many homeowners look for reliable teens to help with yard work, and you can set your own rates. Even if you don’t have all of the tools, offering assistance with simpler yard work tasks is a great way to start. This is a great job to work with a friend to pass the time faster and get more work done.

Now is the time to begin job-hunting, so make sure to check out all of your options to land the perfect opportunity before positions fill up. Happy job hunting!