Summer jobs for youth

Kari Lewis 

    Last week, I made a road trip to Lewistown for Extension meetings.  Along the way, it seemed every place I stopped at had a ‘Help Wanted’ sign.  With so many places hiring, there are some great opportunities available for youth looking for a summer job and to gain some skills for their resume. 

                For a teen looking for a summer job, the Montana 4-H Clover Communications curriculum provides examples of cover letters, resumes, and job applications and tips for interviewing.  These Career Communications resources are available online or by contacting your local extension office.   There are also examples of common interview questions that are great to prep with prior to an interview.

                What about younger kids who may not be able to apply for a ‘real’ job yet?  Here are a few ideas:

·         Sell bottled water or lemonade.  A 24-pack case of water for $2.50 works out to $0.10/bottle.  If those bottles can be resold at $1/each, that is over $20 in profit on just one case of water. 
·         The Farmer’s Market can be a fantastic place for selling baked goods, crafts, homemade dog treats, or craft kits that kids could assemble themselves.  Offering face painting or making balloon animals there could also be a fantastic side avenue.
·         Open class at the fair – Many fairs have ‘Open Class’ divisions where anyone can enter photography, baked goods, crafts, even Lego creations, etc.  For every ribbon that is awarded, there is cash ‘premium money’ given as well.  Kids can earn money through their Open Class exhibits, so start now! 
·         Resell old stuff – Most kids have unused or unwanted toys, video games, clothes that they’ve outgrown, etc. that they could sell at a garage sale or online. 
·         Yard or house care – There is a demand for lawn mowing, weeding flower beds, cleaning up dog messes after winter, washing windows, etc.
·         Sell farm fresh eggs – I know a few kids who did quite well selling eggs over the years.   The Farm Service Agency does have youth ag loans that can be used for purchasing livestock or equipment.
·         Pet care – Whether its pet sitting while folks are on vacation or dog walking, this can be a great option.
·         Babysitting – Babysitting can be a great summer gig, and the Teton county Extension office even has an upcoming babysitter boot camp, call them at 406-466-2491 for more details. 
·         Upgrade items – If a kid is willing to keep an eye out by the dumpsters or pick up things being given away, they can likely clean up and perhaps paint items to resell. 
·         Teach a skill – whether it is giving lessons to another kid or helping an elderly neighbor set up electronics or a social media account, that can be a possibility.
·         With many summer weddings and reunions going on, a kid willing to organize kid’s activities, or serve, do cleanup or provide a photo booth with Polaroids there could be a great moneymaker. Being an entertainer at a kid’s birthday party or doing face painting or balloon animals work too.

As a parent, you may also choose to pay your kids a set amount for specific chores or even for every book they read.  If you are able, consider matching their earnings to a set amount.  There are many more ideas online of how children and teens can earn money but hopefully this provides a starting place.