If kids can’t find relevant (matching their major or career aspirations) jobs, I’d also recommend they join an industry organization and take some of their online courses or attend some of their seminars or conferences or start networking on LinkedIn. My daughter joined the Assoc of Certified Fraud Examiners, attended a cool seminar in Las Vegas, and even took some of their online courses. This increases their knowledge, shows self-motivation, and started connecting her with industry people. Of course, I accompanied her to LV and spent time at the spa and pool relaxing. Double win!!
Internships, either paid or unpaid, which was found through college, through networking and connections, or through websites that lists internships in the industry that Dd is interested in.
@brantly What is your D’s major?
Much like several other posters, D never ever spent the summer at home. For the simple reason that she would have a hard time competing for work at home. Since campus emptied during the summer, jobs became plentiful near school. The jobs that she took generally carried over to a part time job during the regular school year.
She’s not sure yet, but it will be something in the social sciences, with an eye toward working in the “social science” side of a big company (corporate communications, HR, client relations, government relations, etc.)
D2 got her job at the legal aid through her school’s special program. She had to take a course at her school, then she was automatically placed at an internship the following summer. The school paid for her room and legal aid paid her 15/hr. Money for this program came from alumni donation. Your kid may want to check with her school to see if they have any special program to encourage students working at non-profit.
She may want to check with career services now about next summer. At D’s school a lot of interviews for summer internships for next summer are happening now. I don’t remember it being this early, but apparently it is now.
Our younger kids attend a camp and our older son worked there. one summer while in college. The camp is a sports camp that I worked at for four years when I was in college. The term they attend is 3 weeks. My youngest also did football camp through the local high school, went to a church retreat, and did speed camp. (which is a racket in my opinion but he was tired when he got home). The best thing about all these things is that they were trying new things, had no time to get in trouble and met new kids.
I would put it on her…You need to work this summer…it will be at the mall(or whatever) unless you can find a different plan.
I love this idea.
Yes, it is on her. But she asked me for some help in figuring out what wold be best and how to go about it. She’s never done this before. I can help her with ideas and point her in the right direction.
Yes, I’ve been brainstorming with my D a bit too. But I also told her to go to the career center and talk to them, and to bring her resume and let them help her with it.
Both my kids worked FT every summer during high school and I expect my D will work FT every summer while in college as well. I know she will be looking for paid internships but if that doesn’t happen, she makes a small fortune in the 9-10 weeks between July 1 and Labor Day by waiting tables at breakfast 5 mornings a week, tutoring high school students in Math and Latin, and working a few nights anyplace that offers tips (last summer it was Dunkin Donuts but I think she’s going to waitress 2-3 nights a week at a local seafood place this summer if she can snag the job). Apparently my niece was clearing upwards to $200/night working 5-10 at said place. It pays to live in a seaside village.
S1 will do another tech internship after his freshman year. He’s a comp sci major. He’s been invited back to the same firm after a successful first stint at a tech company between HS and freshman year. Although perhaps another opportunity will crop up at school. For his less technical younger brothers (but bright and friendly) I would probably encourage them to look at the many local summer science camps where they could lead youngsters.
Junior summer internship is the one that counts. You do what you need to do to land the right junior internship if you do not plan on going to a graduate school after college.
My 17 year old son works in a supermarket.
My 15 year old daughter got a job last spring in an Italian Ice place. (They’ll close soon for the winter, but she expects to go back next spring.)
My 12 year old is unemployed. 
S worked as a summer teacher’s aid the same place he had volunteered in HS. They hired him for the year he graduated as well as after his freshman year. He did a research connected internship at our local U after sosphomore year (he got it from a friend of his who attended the local U and recommended him while the friend did an internship at MIT), after JR year, he did an internship with NASA. He received several permanent job offers in his SR year.
Our D was busy making up incompletes in the summer after her 1st year of CC. She also went with her brother and cousin on a monthlong program to study in Taiwan. Sadly, her health has never permitted her to work over the summer and she has inevitably had to use that time to rest and recover for the school year.
Thank you, everyone, for the ideas and suggestions.
We have a seasonal business so all of our kids worked ( or still work in the case of the youngest ) for us. But they also get a lot of free time to enjoy their summer with their friends at the beach or just hanging out