How is the summer job market in MoCo/DC for teens? Has your kid gotten a summer job?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that summer only jobs are the way to go. Camps start hiring in January/February and pools and country clubs soon after. Internships are for college kids or kids with family connections.

Thanks. These were internships that were targeted to high school kids.

And one was the summer jobs program through MCPS - which would have been more of a regular job - but apparently they had way more applicants than jobs.

Yes, they placed 1100 and have 1800 unplaced

That is incredible for the jobs program. It's a good program.

[Anonymous]

What about babysitting? Lots of parents need summer time help.

[Anonymous]

I am amazed at the age some places won’t hire. The Dunkin on our corner wants you to be 18. WTH?

[Anonymous]

I agree with the suggestions about trying to find a job at a neighborhood pool as a lifeguard.

The lifeguarding training (whether through Montgomery County or the Red Cross or another entity) is really only 2 long days (and sometime online). Yes, it requires you to have some swimming skills, and be in half-way decent shape, but it's not super rigorous. If you're a capable person and try your best, you will probably pass the written and in-pool tests.

My two college-age students were lifeguards from ages 15 -19. It's one of the few jobs that you can get at age 15.

The pool operating companies and the counties are normally a bit desperate for lifeguards because some teens are afraid to try the training class. However, as stated above, it's not super rigorous.

Some pool operating companies in DC (like at apartment buildings) are able to bring in foreign university students from around the world, during the summer, due to the shortage of lifeguards.

So I think it's still possible to get a lifeguarding job for the summer of 2024, even though it's already May 19th. Just go online and get signed up for a class ASAP. (Try the Moco web site - Activemontgomery -- for starters to see if they have any open classes this week.) I know that many of the operating companies also offer their own classes.

Good luck to your teens!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I agree with the suggestions about trying to find a job at a neighborhood pool as a lifeguard.

The lifeguarding training (whether through Montgomery County or the Red Cross or another entity) is really only 2 long days (and sometime online). Yes, it requires you to have some swimming skills, and be in half-way decent shape, but it's not super rigorous. If you're a capable person and try your best, you will probably pass the written and in-pool tests.

My two college-age students were lifeguards from ages 15 -19. It's one of the few jobs that you can get at age 15.

The pool operating companies and the counties are normally a bit desperate for lifeguards because some teens are afraid to try the training class. However, as stated above, it's not super rigorous.

Some pool operating companies in DC (like at apartment buildings) are able to bring in foreign university students from around the world, during the summer, due to the shortage of lifeguards.

So I think it's still possible to get a lifeguarding job for the summer of 2024, even though it's already May 19th. Just go online and get signed up for a class ASAP. (Try the Moco web site - Activemontgomery -- for starters to see if they have any open classes this week.) I know that many of the operating companies also offer their own classes.

Good luck to your teens!

PP here who kid has lifeguarded for 4y. Just make sure your kid can swim the required amount (various by company/training/shallow water/deep water.) DS's friend was doing his training yesterday and about 1/3 of the kids couldn't swim a 25 (one length of the pool) - for their company 2 lengths (50m) is the minimum - and were sent home. Also need to be able to tread water for about 2m and some various other things. DS's friend said there were a lot of foreign youth/adults in his training.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am amazed at the age some places won’t hire. The Dunkin on our corner wants you to be 18. WTH?

I guess you are unfamiliar with child labor laws?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am amazed at the age some places won’t hire. The Dunkin on our corner wants you to be 18. WTH?

I guess you are unfamiliar with child labor laws?

The laws regarding summer employment for 16-17 yr olds aren't very limiting. And it isn't a huge market for 18+ yr olds who are students. My 19yr old has been trying to find a second summer job and nobody will hire him. They want non-students.