Waiting for internship replies before applying to summer jobs was my son's mistake as well, and since I did not grow up in the same country (or economic climate), I had no clue either. Lesson learned.

He's looking as well.

Kid is 18y and is doing his 4th year lifeguarding. He has worked for the same company all 4 years and reapplied to them in Feb after they hounded him since Dec to sign on the dotted line.

He's banked about 13k in the last 3 summers and enjoys it. Hours are good and he works 30-40 hrs/week (worked the lower end last year to work on essays/SAT prep/go on a few college tours.)

If he can swim, places are desperate for guards.

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

Op- your kid will be better off with a paid job over these internships. Some kids in my neighborhood make good money house sitting, dog walking and mowing lawns.

Restaurants that double in size summer time are in need of help.

Guide your child through the process but don’t do it for them.

Welcome to the s*it show that is the modern job market.

Two teens, 15 will be a lifeguard at our community pool and 19 is returning as a camp counselor at their sleep away camp.

Retail doesn't hire "just for the summer," unless maybe for a seasonal job, like at an ice cream shop?

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.

Thanks, everyone!

Yeah, I wanted him to apply for a summer job at our pool, but they hired early, and he would have had to commit to that before finding out about the internships. Lesson learned, I guess!

I remember seeing the county rec and parks department advertising for summer help at least a month ago.

My 15 year old has a job as a camp counselor. Applied in Feb.

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.

My 16yo will be working at our pool this summer. They’ve also applied to a couple internships but have not heard back yet.

I wouldn't bother with CVS or retail.
Your kids best bet is places that need to hire for summer only, and generally hire a lot of teens - basically a pool or summer camp. They should ask their friends.
My teens have their summer jobs set up for this year already, but last year DD had things fall through and ended up applying to a bunch of places in early June - luckily one place had an opening.
Your kid needs to start now - lifeguarding requires training, camps require background checks, etc.

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

My 16 soon to be 17 year old applied for a few internships (government and MCPS programs) and didn't get them.
Also applied for a summer school program at a college and didn't get it.

How about normal, teen summer jobs? Is there still a labor shortage? Should I be encouraging him to apply to CVS etc?

We don't want him working once school starts back up in the fall, so it would just be in the summer.

Curious how things are out there.