# How do I get a summer job? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 13, 2025, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-summer-job/1017010 "2025-04-13T22:40:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-summer-job/1017010/1 "2025-04-13T22:40:25Z")
Mid-50’s teacher. Deciding to take this summer off from traveling and thought a summer job would help pay off some bills (please don’t make this political about the economy). I’d just like some quiet job like warehousing (not at WallyWorld. Been there, done that, never again) or installing tires or what not. How would I do that? I’m not going to go in demanding $30/hr based on experience and they would know its 6 - 8 weeks. No one does resumes anymore do they? Where would these summer jobs even advertise? ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-summer-job/1017010/2 "2025-04-13T22:49:04Z")
You might want to try [Indeed](https://www.indeed.com). It allows you to set quite a few parameters in terms of what you are looking for. I have no idea if it would work, but it’s probably fairly painless to try and IIRC it is free (I wouldn’t pay for it) - the potential employers are the ones who cover the costs. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-summer-job/1017010/3 "2025-04-13T22:51:15Z")
Are there summer resorts or amusement parks in your area? Many such seasonal places need staff for the summer. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-summer-job/1017010/4 "2025-04-13T22:56:47Z")
And if you want to keep teaching, maybe a summer camp, or museum summer program, etc.? Outdoor programs might need guides and shop workers and admin staff and such too. Indeed is really hit-or-miss; a lot of it is automated spam these days ☹ Craigslist is still around and I’ve gotten many full-time and part-time jobs from there… ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-summer-job/1017010/5 "2025-04-13T23:23:53Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > You might want to try [Indeed](https://www.indeed.com). It allows you to set quite a few parameters in terms of what you are looking for. I used to use Indeed but it has radically gone downhill. > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Are there summer resorts or amusement parks in your area? Many such seasonal places need staff for the summer. Not really. > [@Reply](#): > > And if you want to keep teaching, maybe a summer camp, or museum summer program, etc.? > > Outdoor programs might need guides and shop workers and admin staff and such too. I like that idea. I’m also checking into subbing but no clue if the local districts need that much over the summer ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-summer-job/1017010/6 "2025-04-13T23:24:31Z")
Also, don’t many of your fellow teachers take summer jobs? I would ask those you work with for suggestions. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-summer-job/1017010/7 "2025-04-13T23:25:32Z")
Many have second jobs already. No specific to summer. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-summer-job/1017010/8 "2025-04-13T23:27:45Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I like that idea. I’m also checking into subbing but no clue if the local districts need that much over the summer Also, maybe try the local community colleges too? The one we have here hire random community instructors for summer courses like mountain biking and bowling. They also have community programs where students can use their credits and tuition to take classes offsite for everything from ukelele to taekwondo. * * * Separately, my undergrad university also let community members propose their own extended ed program (usually a month or two), from which they’d keep 50% of the tuition earned: [https://www.humboldt.edu/olli/teach](https://www.humboldt.edu/olli/teach) Not sure if programs like that are available elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-summer-job/1017010/9 "2025-04-13T23:30:50Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > Also, maybe try the local community colleges too? I did the adjunct route. I need a break from teaching over the summer. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-summer-job/1017010/10 "2025-04-13T23:31:14Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I did the adjunct route. I need a break from teaching over the summer. Got it. Sorry, simulposted and just saw the reply 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-summer-job/1017010/11 "2025-04-13T23:32:14Z")
I’ll tell you what, if you are handy, you can pretty much write your own ticket. There is always a screaming need for people who can do little honey-do fixes around a house: Simple plumbing repairs (think running toilet), fence mending, a stray board nailed back into place on a building, door hardware replacement, lawn mowing, painting, gutter cleaning – the list is endless. Lots of older folks who can’t do these things themselves any longer but aren’t ready to downsize. Advertise on Craig’s List or Nextdoor and you’ll have as much work (or as little) as you want. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-summer-job/1017010/12 "2025-04-14T00:03:13Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Many have second jobs already. No specific to summer. I would still _talk_ to your fellow teachers and anyone else you know. They may know, for example, that someone in their office planned a month-long trip to Europe and therefore there’s a need for coverage. And their recommendation may make it easier for you to secure the job. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-summer-job/1017010/13 "2025-04-14T00:04:51Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Where would these summer jobs even advertise? There really aren’t summer jobs except in what I guess you could call “tourism and entertainment” like resorts, amusement parks , day camps and that sort of thing. Possibly highway rest areas and restaurants and souvenir shops. . Most retail doesn’t hire for the summer - if you wanted to work at Pep Boys for the summer, you’d pretty much have to hide the fact that you are a teacher and will be leaving before school starts. As far as how to apply, most big chains have an online application process. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-summer-job/1017010/14 "2025-04-14T00:07:48Z")
Lots of places are having trouble finding workers, so you might be able to get a job at a regular business. For instance, go to a few tire stores and see what they say about your proposal. If they are having trouble getting workers, they might jump at the chance to get 8 weeks of dependable work from a reliable employee. But for just a summer job, one resource is to look at the job postings for your city. They may need extra people to handle the summer rush at their recreational facilities, such as pools, parks, and libraries. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-summer-job/1017010/15 "2025-04-14T00:11:15Z")
A decade or two ago, I had 3 teacher friends who painted houses in the summer. Hard work, but it paid pretty well. If that appeals to you, you might talk to local painting companies. Or perhaps lawn care/yard maintenance companies? ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-summer-job/1017010/16 "2025-04-14T00:15:24Z")
Try your local employment office. I’m a retired teacher now, but once I went into the local Georgia Department of Labor to see what was available. I got a couple of offers the next day (a video store was one). I decided to do another offer I got from elsewhere, however. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-summer-job/1017010/17 "2025-04-14T00:29:22Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > There really aren’t summer jobs except in what I guess you could call “tourism and entertainment” like resorts, amusement parks , day camps and that sort of thing. Possibly highway rest areas and restaurants and souvenir shops. . Most retail doesn’t hire for the summer - if you wanted to work at Pep Boys for the summer, you’d pretty much have to hide the fact that you are a teacher and will be leaving before school starts. That reminds me of [this story](https://www.thisamericanlife.org/388/transcript) from This American Life about a rest stop on the New York Thruway staffed in part by foreign students on special visas for the summer. The students were from Ukraine, Taiwan and Poland, Other foreign students get jobs at amusement parks. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-summer-job/1017010/18 "2025-04-14T00:35:49Z")
I mentioned the rest stops for summer jobs because I remember seeing employees with their country name listed on their name tags, just like I see at amusement parks. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-summer-job/1017010/19 "2025-04-14T00:43:54Z")
Right. It was a wonderful system. The employers get additional help over the summer when it’s hard to hire enough domestic workers and kids from around the world have an adventure while earning some money.