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Best Jobs for High School Students

As you gear up to take rigorous classes that challenge you and figure out which extracurricular activities bring the leader out of you, you might also be thinking about spending your time outside school seeking a job. While a year or two of work under your belt isn’t required for college applications, admissions officers appreciate candidates who have spent time gaining hands-on experience in the real world and becoming more accountable for themselves. It doesn’t hurt to start earning money while you’re at it, so now the question is, what are some of the best jobs for high school students?

Work options for you may depend on your schedule during the school year. You might also be looking to break into a particular industry. There are options available no matter what you’re looking to gain from the experience! Whether you want to learn to be more responsible or you want to find a way to market your artistic talent, there’s a job prospect for you out there. To help you brainstorm some ideas, I’ve put together a list of the best jobs for high school students that might appeal to you, along with examples of how they can help demonstrate your specific talents and interests. 

Types of Jobs for High School Students

Finding a job is always valuable, and it shouldn’t be limited to a timeframe. Often, places don’t hire students until they have a car, so you might have to wait until later in high school to apply for a particular role - but there are still options out there. Admissions officers almost always value work experience and often find it more substantial than generic summer programs. Take a look at the following list to figure out what appeals to you and might help you grow as an individual.

Customer Service Jobs

The most common inclusion among lists of the best jobs for high school students involves working in the service industry. Over weekends or after school, a variety of different service-sector organizations offer high schoolers opportunities to help out. Stores, restaurants, hotels, movie theaters, and coffee shops often all have positions open. 

Numerous high school students work in foodservice. Being a barista at Starbucks or a cashier at McDonald’s builds character and integrity, and concretely demonstrates your work ethic and trustworthiness. Some other customer service jobs can include being a receptionist at a hotel or being a bagger at your local grocery store. You can use websites such as Indeed, Monster, and Flex Jobs to find local stores and franchises that need help and don’t require too much previous experience. If you do apply to such jobs, make sure you demonstrate accountability, enthusiasm, and patience in your interview, as customer service requires being attentive and tolerant of everyone you meet.

Odd Jobs Around Your Neighborhood

Colleges value students who are involved with their school or local communities, and if you’re wondering about the best jobs for high school students, you might benefit from looking for work around where you live. Think about what resources your neighborhood or area has. For instance, you live in a town that's big on agriculture, you can perhaps find work at a farm.

Or, you could inquire with your neighbors or others in your area regarding whether they need help babysitting, watering their plants, or cleaning their pool. You could take it one step further and even start your own business for one of these services with the help of other teens in your area. This could be an effective way to develop your leadership and collaborative skills, and show admissions officers that you aren’t afraid to take initiative. 

Using Your Skills 

Finding the best jobs for high school students could also involve making the most of your talents and transferrable skills. Think about your interests outside the classroom and how to market them in a way that can actually turn your activities into a job while still in high school. If you’re a varsity athlete or good at sports in general, there are plenty of possibilities out there. You could apply for a referee position with a Little League near you, coach younger students in tennis, or sign up to be a swim instructor at your local rec center. 

If you’re a talented musician, there are a couple of ways in which your skills can be converted into a job. Solo performers or student bands could check in with local cafes and event centers to see if there are any paid gigs where you can perform. Or, if you play an instrument or you’re a good singer, you could offer lessons based on your skill level. Speaking of teaching, if you’re good at math, you could offer tutoring services to kids from your school. If English and grammar are your strong suits, you could offer ESL tutoring. Think about which skills you wish to develop and find ways to use them to your advantage.

Codify Your Career Interests

College admissions officers appreciate students who have taken steps towards their future plans and pursued activities related to their prospective major. For example, if you’re a high school student interested in medicine, you can look for relevant jobs such as research or hospital receptionist positions. While you probably won’t find paid jobs that allow direct patient interaction, surrounding yourself in a medical environment can still help demonstrate your dedication while being involved in one of the best jobs for high school students.

If your aspirations lie more in the political direction, there are paid internships available for students with the U.S. Department of Justice. You could also find work as an assistant at a law firm, helping out with clerical tasks. On the other hand, you might want to be a journalist or writer. Check in with your local newspaper or youth magazine and see whether you can work as a regular staff writer. Working at the local library can also highlight your interest in literature. Your top-choice schools will appreciate an activities list that conveys pursuit of academic interests and earning an income!

Seasonal Jobs

If you’re too busy with academics and extracurriculars during the school year, you might want to make the most of your summer and winter breaks in terms of finding a job. This is the time to look for seasonal jobs. You could see whether the local pool or beach is looking for a lifeguard for the season. As for winter jobs, a ski lodge is a good place to look, and many shops hire extra staff during the holiday season.

Using Social Media to Market Yourself

If you use your social media accounts strategically, you might find ways to turn your posts into paid opportunities. If you’re an artist and want to sell your work, you can use Facebook or Instagram to post pictures of different pieces and market them to an audience. If you are interested in photography, you can also set up an Instagram account to highlight your pictures and advertise upcoming openings, such as taking senior portraits for the graduating class. 

If you’re a foodie, you could become a food blogger, taking photos of the dishes at places you dine at and reviewing restaurants. You will need to build a large number of followers, but then you can seek brands to sponsor you or restaurants to invite you for free meals. You can also submit your reviews to local magazines for publication. While these aren’t traditionally what people think about when considering the best jobs for high school students, they’re effective in helping you grow into an independent, accountable, and assertive individual, while earning monetary compensation for your time and talent.

As you think about the kind of work experience you’re looking for, you need to consider what you enjoy doing, what you’re looking for from the opportunity, and what kind of options are available near you. When seeking the best jobs for high school students, if you find something that can help you grow as an individual, you can’t go wrong. And if your job ends up having a meaningful impact on you, you can always write about it in a college essay as an added bonus. Happy searching!