<p>I’m a big fan of craigslist.org for finding “out of the box” work. Find your closest city, pick an area of interest, and read, read, read.</p>
<p>Just remember, it IS the internet, and therefore everything you see or read may (or may not) be true. So do your research.</p>
<p>But it’s a great place to start.</p>
<p>Last summer after my son graduated high school he signed up with a local large temp firm and got an $11/hour office job working 10am -3pm every day 15 minute drive from home. He had no previous office experience but had worked as a library page and a tutor. He did bring in a resume and dressed appropriately. It was really a good opportunity albeit - according to him -boring work (filling in contract info on templates). If you’re good at data entry there should certainly be similar opportunities.</p>
<p>His job may have been an anomoly but the temp firms make money by placing employees so will really try hard to find something if they accept you.</p>
<p>Canvassing–both my kids have worked as enviromental canvassers. It’s part asking people for money and letters, and part advocacy. They make decent money, are outside all day (not always fun if the weather is bad, but mostly good) and really, really like the people they work with. They also learn a ton of useful skills, from how to talk to just about anyone, to handling money, navigating, office skills, researching issues, etc. Advocacy groups are always looking for new canvassers, and will give pretty much anyone a tryout.</p>
<p>Being a desk person at the gym, explaining memberships, handing out towels, and checking people in. My older son did this and got a free membership out of it (as well as an hourly wage).</p>
<p>Helping local coaches with their summer programs for younger kids. My younger son did this for lacrosse. </p>
<p>Younger son also assisted with our summer school last year, running errands, giving directions, handling some administrative work. He’s going to do it again this summer. He might also get involved with the classroom more directly this year, since he’s now a HS grad.</p>
<p>Your local parks and rec place may have a job for you - I keep score for little league teams and help out some during the day with prepping fields. It doesn’t pay a lot and it’s irregular hours, but it’s fun.</p>
<p>I also work at a summer camp - depending on the camp, you may be able to get a job other than counselor. I personally couldn’t put up with taking care of 10 kids all day and night 
so I have a different job at my camp.</p>
<p>I was going to start a thread similar to this except that </p>
<p>I’d like to know where a 15-year-old can get a summer job. So many places seem to require 18.</p>
<p>Does it make any difference that he’s 6’1"?</p>
<p>Mary, my son had a summer job at a grocery store as a cashier at 16. They would have also hired at 15, but not as a cashier (working in the back to assemble platters, and help carry out orders). The problem was that they did not offer enough hours to work each week. Your are right, many places won’t hire people that are under 18.</p>
<p>Depends on where you live, MaryTN. Tennessee? Around here, 14-year olds can get a job with a Work Permit. And the jobs are reasonably plentiful - ice cream shop, bus boy, farm help, I forget what-all. Some places, while a kid that age could theoretically get a job, the competition from older kids is too stiff. Lawn mowing?</p>
<p>It definitely depends on where you live. Kids where I live are known for working hard; a lot of 14 year olds work full time in the summers as bus boys (if they start young, they can be waiters at fancy restaurants before too long), ice cream scoopers, golf caddys, desk people at gift shops or small stores, babysitting (this can bring in serious amounts of money, especially in a year or two when they can drive), working for mom or dad or a family friend at the office by filing and copying, training to be or working as a camp counselor or teacher in some area (often sports or theater), working outside helping with a landscaping company or lawn mowing… That’s all I can think of off the top of my head. In some places fifteen year olds can work at normal retail stores.</p>
<p>I’m in Florida. There are Help Wanted signs everywhere (for minimum wage jobs). I’m sure they’re not looking for longevity- just a warm body for a few months will do. I’ve NEVER heard of anyone having a problem finding a summer job. Are we an anomaly down here?</p>
<p>Well, last summer my son got a late start looking for a job since he needed to get those wisdom teeth out after his graduation. He took about 5 days to recover. He really did not have an easy time finding a job since both the hs and college students all grabbed them before he was able to find his job. He did get one after going to a dozen different places, so it worked out.</p>
<p>I guess service industry down here is king. There are fast foods, chain restaurants, stores on every corner. We’re lucky- the kids have it easy finding a job down here.</p>
<p>don’t forget the labor laws.Different aged kids can work a different amount of hours.Its aproblem here in NY for younger kids,who are also not permitted to work cash registers before a certain age.Perhaps MAryTN’s child is up against that problem as well.
D made scads of money babysitting back in her younger teen days.What a gig…off the books income and free food too.</p>
<p>Here’s a shocker, the other day S calls from school and says he’s been offered a job as a bouncer. YIKES.</p>
<p>My son has worked the past couple of summers for a busy temp agency. They nearly always have work for him. (Some may not be suitable for girls though. 
) The nice thing is he can often line up a week or two of work when he’s home too. It’s stuff like working in distribution centers, warehouses, the Coca Cola plant. etc. He likes it!</p>