How to Find a Summer Job or Internship for High School Students

In this economy, with unemployment rates soaring, do our high school students really face such a dire task when they go job hunting for this summer? I have some suggestions based on my son's experiences that may help you locate a summer job or internship -- and hopefully one that pays!

Things You'll Need

• Internet access
• Perseverance
• Patience

Instructions

1. 

   First of all, I would strongly suggest that you sign up for job alerts as I describe in my article on eHow, How to get job alerts from Internet job search engines like SimplyHired, Indeed, JuJu, and USAJobs. For purposes of this type of job hunt, use the terms "summer" and "job" or "internship" or "position" and the field you want. Are you interested in being business major -- enter appropriate business terms. Are you interested in being a pre-med student when you go to college -- look for laboratories or research. Set up lots of alerts. The more the better!

   TRUE STORY -- for my son's job hunt, he set up alerts like this and daily gets emails with possible internships.

2. 

   Look on CRAIGSLIST! Yes, they have job postings. You can focus on individual cities or states, and in the field you want. Go first to http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites, and click on your city or state. In the left-hand column, under "Search Craigslist," use the drop down menu to click on jobs. In the box enter your search terms -- try with and without the term summer. When you get the result, in the search for box check internship or part time or contract -- all three are viable for summer jobs.

   TIP -- Yes, this works for high school students.

   TRUE STORY -- last year, my son was out of the United States until May 30, and started looking for a summer job upon his return. He had just graduated high school. He found a paying internship at a local magazine for $10 per hour! Job found, interviewed, and started within one week.

   TIP -- watch out for Craigslist scams!

3. 

   Get out there and hit the pavement! Go to all the stores you can, like your local ice cream store, pizza store, or fast food chain. Check out places like arts and crafts stores (A.C. Moore, Michaels, for example). It is not too early. They probably are all going to say it will depend on how the economy is in a couple of months. But so what? Leave an application. Call them (not too many times) to keep up with developments and keep you in their minds.

   TRUE STORY -- I saw a sign at the A.C. Moore arts and crafts store near my home that they were hiring!

4. I know there are stores going out of business every day -- Circuit City, Linens & Things, you know the stores. But sometimes new business are actually opening even in this economy. A Linens & Things store that went out by my home is becoming a Furniture & Things store. New stores need workers. Check them out!

5. 

   PAID or UNPAID -- if you really want to work this summer in your field, you might only find an unpaid internship. But what to do if you need the money? Offer to work part-time, say 30 hours, and for the rest of your time try to find a paying job scooping ice cream or waiting tables. You get to build your resume with your unpaid internship but can put some money aside.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk to your High School guidance office -- they often hear about jobs.

• Nothing is beneath you -- don't turn your nose up at being a camp counselor for a day camp. And you could have fun in the sun!

• Always smile when you go in asking for a job!

• Try try try!