Jessica Jinkens: Great Summer Jobs that are Often Overlooked

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Great Summer Jobs that are Often Overlooked

If you're like me when I was in high school or in my earlier college years, then you will want to spend your summer earning (and saving) as much money as possible. The main problem at the beginning of the summer is that we realize we have no money and everyone knows the classic saying- you need money to make money. Well, you guys are in luck because I will provide you with a few jobs that require very little start up money.

I will not include the typical jobs that college students go for (retail work or restaurant server) because you already know about them. Instead, I want to talk about some of the summer jobs I have had that require very little funding:

Lawn Care Services - You might have to purchase a lawn mower or a hedge trimmer but in many cases you can borrow the equipment from your parents or from the client. You can either work as an independent contract for a company that finds you clients in the community or you could put up flyers in your neighborhood to find your own clients.This job was ideal for me because I love being outdoors during the summer time. If you enjoy being out in nice weather and having a free workout at the same time, then this is the job for you too. Make sure you bring large amounts of water and sunscreen because nobody wants to see someone passed out on the grass.
Editor’s Note: I did this when I was very young. I remember going to someone’s house with my family’s gas powered lawn mower and it was HEAVY. After a while, I couldn’t push it anymore and my mom actually came to help My family still talks about this, so just make sure you are fit enough to do this type of work before you start!
Sports Official - All you need is a bicycle (depending on distance to the field) and your basic equipment (proper uniform and shoes). The pay usually depends on the sport, the age group of the participants, and the level of competition. You obviously can't expect to be paid the same for officiating a game of 10 year olds compared to an All-Star game consisting of 18 year olds. I can only speak from experience and tell you guys about my time spent as a soccer referee. I got paid on a per game basis and my goal was to work at least 2 games an evening. At $25 a game and two games a night, the $50 is not bad at all for a part time job.
Editor’s Note: I was in the soccer team in high school, and the referees that do a good job is actually the person on the field that runs the most. It’s a great workout and an extremely good way to build stamina, so it’s a great way to earn some money because you can quit your gym membership as well.

This is part of a series of guest posts from Studenomics, a personal finance blog for college students and recent graduates. It is a great resource for young people who are looking for common sense advice.

If you enjoy this article, consider checking out the others to help you with a productive summer.