Finding a Summer Job or Internship

Every year the race begins again. You slip on your best shoes and your most responsible attitude and hit the streets running. The countdown's on to find the best summer employment available.

Why Get a Summer Job or Internship?

Summer jobs and internships have lots of terrific benefits. Working is a great way to prepare for life after high school or for college. The skills you learn early on will help you develop the professional talents you'll need throughout your life. These include basic but important skills like customer service, caring for children — and even learning to work with a boss!

Work experience can also help people feel good about themselves. The self-esteem and self-confidence you can develop at a job or internship will come in handy when you're ready to interview for college or a job after high school.

What's the Right Job for Me?

Take the first step in landing the right job before you even start looking: Think about what's motivating you to get the job. Is it because you need money, want to build your work experience, or want a job that looks good on your resumé or will help you get into college? Knowing what you want will help bring job satisfaction.

Next, make a list of your interests and strengths, as well as your weaknesses, and keep them in mind as you look for a job. For example, you may be in love with books or gifted when it comes to animals — a job in a bookstore or pet store would be perfect for you. On the other hand, if looking after little kids drives you crazy or if you burn in the sun, then you'll know to avoid babysitting or lifeguard jobs.

A job or internship should not only be enjoyable, it should be a learning experience too. Because working demands so much of your time, try to find a job or internship that may help guide you toward your long-term goals. For example, if you want to study veterinary science in college, finding a job in a vet's office, animal shelter, or even a pet store may be better choices for you than working in a restaurant.

Where Should I Start?

Begin by putting together a resumé. A good resumé is your best job-hunting tool. Unlike an application form, which you only fill out when you're applying for a particular job opening, you can hand resumés out to relatives, friends of the family, teachers, and other people you know. Ask them to pass it on to anyone who might be interested in hiring you. Hundreds of job-related sites on the Internet offer advice on preparing a resumé.

The most common way to find a job opening is by reading the classified ads section of your local newspaper. Of course, some of the jobs listed — usually those that appear under "sales" and claim you can work for yourself and make thousands of dollars a week — may be too good to be true. So make sure the job ad mentions what the work entails (e.g., "server, evenings and weekends" or "day camp counselor").