Anyone’s college kid not have a job this summer?

[Anonymous]

My rising senior son is the same. Last summer landed a research position that continued into the school year until this March, but the research project ended. Now home looking.

[Anonymous]

My rising junior in college son is working retail, same as last year. Business major. So are 5 of his close friends. A sixth friend got a very non prestigious internship through a family friend.

I think it’s normal, especially in this job environment. Hopefully next year will be the internship year.

[Anonymous]

He has been working since October. He just got a job #2 the minute school ended. So much work in DMV.
Nothing school related as he just started college.

[Anonymous]

My rising senior in college has never had a job. Not even retail. Tried for weeks last year and never was hired. Taking classes this summer once again. Has also gotten an EMT certification after not getting a job a few years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My rising senior in college has never had a job. Not even retail. Tried for weeks last year and never was hired. Taking classes this summer once again. Has also gotten an EMT certification after not getting a job a few years ago.

That means they aren’t even trying. My kid had an internship all three summers. A LOT (dozens) of applications and interviews.

[Anonymous]

Rising sophomore just got home and doesn't have anything lined up yet. Sent out a bunch of applications in the spring, mostly retail, but hasn't gotten any calls. He's trying to figure out where else to look. What places are still hiring and will take an 18yo for only two months? He has to go back to school at the beginning of August for sports, so he can only work until the end of July.

[Anonymous]

Mine is taking classles

[Anonymous]

HS summers my kids attended/worked at their sleepaway camps so it was never an issue finding a job.

The older is now a rising senior in college, and struggled each summer in college to find a job because they didn’t have retail or service skills. Summer after first year in college, they again (grudgingly) were a camp counselor although for a local day camp. Summer after soph year they did not want to be a camp counselor again, and did not find a job until they came home after finals and more thoroughly exhausted applying online and in person to all sorts of retail, restaurant, etc jobs- they finally got a job as a restaurant busser, with crappy and erratic hours and not a lot of total hours. But, when they were applying for summer interships for this summer after junior year, most interviews asked a lot of questions tied back to that job so it was a good thing DC did it!

Younger kid has thankfully seen older sib’s summer job search struggles and got their lifeguard certification this past spring So that’s my recommendation for every kid to do!

[Anonymous]

My freshman will be taking classes and working pt to make a little money. Plans to spend time this summer doing informational mtgs with alum connections to get job direction clarity - so has bettee job search focus next year.

[Anonymous]

My youngest is a rising college senior and has an internship in this summer in his field. Today is his 1st day! He's my only kid who landed a summer internship but he and his older brothers all worked a retail job in a locally owned small business every summer. Most of their friends worked as lifeguards during the summers. The other common jobs seemed to be summer nannies, working in the bag room at the local country club, mowing lawns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:HS summers my kids attended/worked at their sleepaway camps so it was never an issue finding a job.

The older is now a rising senior in college, and struggled each summer in college to find a job because they didn’t have retail or service skills. Summer after first year in college, they again (grudgingly) were a camp counselor although for a local day camp. Summer after soph year they did not want to be a camp counselor again, and did not find a job until they came home after finals and more thoroughly exhausted applying online and in person to all sorts of retail, restaurant, etc jobs- they finally got a job as a restaurant busser, with crappy and erratic hours and not a lot of total hours. But, when they were applying for summer interships for this summer after junior year, most interviews asked a lot of questions tied back to that job so it was a good thing DC did it!

Younger kid has thankfully seen older sib’s summer job search struggles and got their lifeguard certification this past spring So that’s my recommendation for every kid to do!

Early in college it can be worthwhile to get an on- campus job in food services. IME, they are always hiring. Then at least you stand a better chance of getting a retail/restaurant job because you have experience.

[Anonymous]

My son’s school never had enough on-campus jobs even for kids on work study. Maybe larger universities have more vacancies.

[Anonymous]

Mine didn’t have anything until about 2 wks ago, despite doing a ton of applications. Now, she has four offers!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My youngest is a rising college senior and has an internship in this summer in his field. Today is his 1st day! He's my only kid who landed a summer internship but he and his older brothers all worked a retail job in a locally owned small business every summer. Most of their friends worked as lifeguards during the summers. The other common jobs seemed to be summer nannies, working in the bag room at the local country club, mowing lawns.

Other common jobs for college students include camp counselors and non-lifeguarding pool jobs (cashiers, food service, etc).

[Anonymous]

dC didn’t have a job after freshman year. Took a class virtually and worked on personal projects. Was able to find a paid job for post sophomore summer with updated resume. Summer course might also make early graduation possible.