The 8 Best Summer Jobs for College Students

Summer break is a chance for college students to earn money for tuition, books, and living expenses, but it can be tough to secure a part-time job for a few months. Fortunately, there are lots of seasonal gigs and temporary opportunities for college students looking to earn a little extra cash this summer. Here’s a look at eight of the best jobs for college students to consider over summer break.

1. Food Service

Restaurants located in popular tourism areas typically experience higher demand during the summer months as travel increases, as do those who hold outdoor events such as live music during the summer season. Many restaurants are seeking part-time or temporary help to accommodate demand over the summer. While wait staff typically receive a lower hourly wage, tips can make wait staffing a lucrative opportunity for college students. Working as a line cook is another possibility in the restaurant industry for those wanting to test out their culinary skills.

2. Landscaping

If you’d rather spend most of your time in the great outdoors, landscaping companies are almost always in search of temporary help over the summer. The landscaping industry does the bulk of its business in the spring and summer months, so they’re typically not looking for year-round help anyway – making it a perfect summer job opportunity for college students. If you’re not one to care much for meticulously pruning trees and trimming bushes but you like to stay active, construction companies are another industry that often hires temporary workers over the summer.

3. Warehousing

Retail warehouses are typically busiest during the holiday shopping season, but warehouses serve more than just retail operations. Because staffing is a challenge for the warehousing industry – and a full staff is crucial to keep things running smoothly – there are warehouse openings throughout the year for jobs like order picking, fulfillment, and forklift operators. For those looking for a regular gig over summer break, signing up with an on-demand staffing solution like Wonolo makes it easy for you to pick up work with local warehouse companies as your schedule permits.

4. Lifeguarding

What could be better than being poolside all summer? If you’re an experienced swimmer and are CPR-certified, lifeguarding is a good way to pass the summer and earn some extra money. Or, if you like working with kids, consider a summer job as a swim instructor to teach one-on-one or small group lessons.

5. Delivery Driver

If you have a clean driving record and a reliable vehicle, you can earn some extra cash this summer as a delivery driver. From traditional ride-sharing to making deliveries for restaurants and florists, delivering packages, and delivering supplies to work sites for landscapers and construction companies, there are many ways to earn money making deliveries.

6. Event Staffing

If you’re a people person, working at events over the summer is a great way to pass the time and earn some money over summer break. Summer is the busiest season for event staffing, with many outdoor weddings, company events, concerts, and other events planned to take advantage of the warm weather over the summer. Working as a greeter or registering guests, serving food and beverages, or even working event security are all possible summer job opportunities in the event staffing industry.

7. Pet Sitting

School’s out for the summer, and that means many families are taking vacations this time of the year. Traveling with the family pets isn’t always practical, though, so many families hire trustworthy college students and gig workers to care for their pets while they’re away. If you’re an animal lover, pet sitting makes an enjoyable summer job.

8. Hospitality Jobs

College students in search of adventure sometimes decide to relocate to a beach town over summer break to have some fun in the sun. A summer job in the hospitality industry is a great way to pay the bills. After all, you can’t lounge on the beach 24/7. From working the front desk at a hotel to guest services jobs, servers, bartenders, housekeeping, and even casino workers, there’s a job in the hospitality industry that suits practically every personality.

If you’re looking for a straightforward solution to find temporary work this summer, sign up with Wonolo to get access to jobs in warehousing, event staffing, general labor, and other industries near you. You’ll get notified of jobs in your area and can accept only the jobs you want. When you find a job that’s the right fit for your skills and your schedule, accept it with just one click. It’s never been easier to find and accept your ideal summer job!

Download the app today and work a job tomorrow. Already have the app? Find jobs near you and start earning.