What part time / summer jobs have your DC done to date? Looking for ideas.

[AalyaSecura]

As the title says, I'm interested in ideas of the range of part time or summer jobs DC have done either whilst at school / gap year / at uni. DN is starting to look for work, but we are struggling to think of options different to the more obvious supermarket / waitressing options. Ideally we are trying to think of something that will give her repeat work, rather than job hunting every summer from scratch. And maybe help in building skills that are valuable long term.. A big ask I think!

Not all at once, obviously!

Pag could you try with a wine Club at a local university if you're in a studenty town?

Not my do as too young! But when I was at uni I signed up at local temp agencies and got office work for the summer, would be reasonably good money and pretty much worked most weeks at a variety of offices doing reception /secretarial work. I also worked at a club (urgh) and next sale (another urgh!)

Worked as waitress / bar staff for an agency. Loads of work and able to choose hours / days that worked.

In terms of part time work, finding a job within the university can be an excellent option, especially for flexibility but also sometimes for pay.

The two biggest sources of work are
a) students' union - various bar type jobs etc. etc.
b) the student recruitment / widening participation team - they will employ a significant number of student ambassadors who work on open days, campus tours, events in schools etc. Typically they sign up to work only when they are available, and so they don't have to work during exams if they don't want to. However, the amount of work is variable and tends to drop off in school holidays.

I second the lifeguard suggestion- friends of mine who did the nplq never had a problem getting work and always seemed to have a good social life along with it!

While I was at uni and needed to work whilst richer friends all went on holiday I applied to Disneyland Paris for a summer. It wasn't exactly a holiday but it was lots of fun and gave me something very different to talk about at interviews. It was a while ago now but I applied online then went to an interview in London. They also kept asking me back in subsequent years and I sadly became a grown up with a real job and had to decline

Exam invigilating ?
Festival staff?

Working at theme parks / safari parks / zoos / tourist attractions over the Summer.

Not quite the same but I pay a local teen to come and sort my house out before I get home from work - 1 hour 2-3 times a week. Generally empty dishwasher, put washing in/out, chop veg ready for dinner, bit of ironing, maybe put the Hoover around - not hardcore cleaning but it makes such a difference when I get in at 5.30 with a 1 and 4 year old. My friends are super jealous of the service and would definitely pay for similar so maybe there's a business opportunity?

Sorry...haven't had chance to read through all of the other replies so I don't know if someone has already said this but...

All of the jobs I got at that age were from going out dressed relatively smartly and armed with copies of my CV and literally going into every single shop, bar and restaurant and asking if they were looking for anyone and then leaving a copy of my CV. None of them had ads up in the window.

My DD did that a few years ago and got absolutely nowhere. It really depends on the young people seeking a jobs : shop/cafe ratio. She had an excellent cv with two other languages and is very presentable and a hard worker. If they don't need anyone or already have someone, in the bin goes the cv.

There is always help needed before and during big sports events. She worked for a company that put all the info packs together for the Games Makers for the Olympic Games. They all had different locations so maps of their location had to be produced, Loos identified, emergency contacts and loads more. Strict deadlines, long hours and good experience. Her boyfriend sold drinks at the beach volleyball site!

My dc and their friends have done: lifeguarding qualification, John lewis (work in gap year, transfer to branch in uni town, pick up when back home), G4S events work/Wimbledon/Silver service type company events work (look on studentjobs - there are masses), TA at summer school, day camp helpers (bouncy castle, sport, that sort of place), sports coaching, working for a train company in gap year, volunteering for the National Trust, museum, charity shop, hospital research admin, working for the uni PT in term time. This is London though, so there is loads of events and catering work and they can get everywhere on public transport

Just had a look on studentjobs. If any of your dc are in the London area there is the unmissable opportunity of becoming a Lice Assassin. Imagine having THAT on your CV!

The Hairforce is a unique nit and lice clearing service. Our specialist process deals with both the head lice and those tricky nits – the eggs – in an entirely natural way. Using a unique set of equipment we safely dehydrate and forensically remove the lot – every last louse and nit. Be a part of a highly respected and trained professional team.

You've nailed it!

PGL camps take young adults on over the summer
Camps in America do too especially if your dc has a skill like they can sail, canoe etc.
lifeguarding at the local pool
care home worker
night shelf stacker
working for neilsons or ocean elements as a sailing instructor in Greece.
working at the local lake or leisure centre doing some instructing.
helping out at music events like reading, V festivals etc
volunteering for a political party (if that is their bag!)
Travelodge/premier inn room cleaner
mentoring a young person

huge list of ideas really.

DS16 dropped a few leaflets around and now does gardens for two old people- mows grass and a bit of cutting back etc. He gets about £70 a month for about hour and a bit a week.

Ds did his lifeguarding qualification the summer after he turned 16 - this will be his fourth summer working at the outdoor pool. He gets paid to get a tan, it's very sociable as most of the other lifeguards are students as well and he gets to swim for free. So far the only creature he's had to rescue is a mouse

...... Noitsnot My dd had to give someone a plaster today. Oh, and yesterday she trapped a wasp and let it go outside. I think that's been the full extent of lives saved so far, and, oddly enough, I asked her if she'd got suncream before she set off for her shift this morning

Both DCs have done some tutoring with younger kids - maths, science and music. Also Next for the sales and then stayed on and also got 'repeat work' there. River Island, local retail park. Most of the High Street shops now only recruit online although local cafes and pubs will accept CVs handed over directly.

American summer camp, although by the time he'd paid agency fees, visa, flights etc he made very little. He did make loads of friends and learnt new skills and enhanced his CV and wasn't having to pay for much whilst out there though and is going back again this year.

DS is cleaning holiday chalets for a small local firm, and working for a marquee event hire firm. Both jobs he could come back to next summer.