We’re over here feeling all kinds of compassion for teens facing a summer like none we ever faced. Think about it, summer has always been a great time for teens do something as basic as getting a summer job. These jobs help them learn new skills, become more responsible, and earn that money. But this year, when many of us are still practicing social distancing and business as usual is anything but usual, what exactly are teens supposed to do? Should they just give up on even trying to find a summer job thing and spend the summer doing nothing? Absolutely not.
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There are still some job opportunities available to teens that they can either do from home or while being safe and practicing social distancing. The work opportunities may not be as bountiful or as varied as in the past, but there’s also a lot to be learned from adapting to the times. We put together a list of summer jobs that you and your teens can consider.
Before we share some of these options with you, we'd like to share a word of warning. It’s important that you be involved in the process because, let’s face it, there are a lot of scams going on and we wouldn’t want your teen falling for any of them. For example, if your teen is being asked to pay to get access to job listings or to apply for a job, that should serve as a red flag. You shouldn’t have to pay to play, so to speak. OK, now that you’ve been warned, let’s see what’s out there!
Summer is a great time to become a virtual tutor.
What subjects did your teen ace? Perhaps she could tutor someone else in those subjects. Plenty of parents are looking for ways to keep their kids engaged and learning over the summer and are looking for tutors to help them do just that. Don't know where to look for tutoring opportunities? Try Wyzant and Tutors.com.
Look for virtual volunteer opportunities.
We realize money is a big motivator and that volunteer opportunities do not come with that kind of motivation, but if your child is in a position to volunteer, then there are other benefits. Aside from knowing that you are helping others, teens can develop new skills, and can also use the experience to make them look more attractive to prospective colleges or future employees. Start by looking for volunteer opportunities on NationalService.gov and Volunteer.gov.
Look into work-from-home internships.
Sadly, many internships do not pay, which is unfortunate because it limits the number of teens who can even consider applying, but that's a topic for a later time. Anyway, if experience, connections, and ways to make your resume look more attractive appeal to you and your teen, then a work-from-home internship might be something to consider. Reach out to your teen's guidance counselor for resources.
Instead of babysitting, what about pet sitting?
This is a good option for teens or preteens who are great with animals. Let any of your friends and neighbors know that if they or anyone is going away this summer, that your kid is ready and willing to pet sit for a fee, of course. Pets need love, care, and exercise when their humans are away.
Dog walking is another option.
Even people who are working from home might need a dog walker so they can take advantage of uninterrupted time to get some work done. If your teen is keen on this idea, he will have to figure out a way to spread the word. He can make fliers and post them around the neighborhood to find clients who are close to home. Have the teen research what rates to charge. Also, remind him that he will have to wear a mask and practice social distancing when he is on doggie walking duty.
How about offering outdoor gardening services?
Nature stops for no one. No matter what is going on, lawns and plants need to be watered, grass needs to be mowed, and weeds need to be pulled. And you don't have to be a master gardener to do those things. You don't even have to be an adult to do them. Your teen can offer neighbors outdoor landscaping related services by making flyers and posting them or putting them in mailboxes.
Does your teen have mad graphic design skills?
If that's the case, it's time to market those skills. Marketing those skills in a digital world isn't even hard. For example, Fiverr offers opportunities for anyone 13 years old and over to freelance doing things like graphic design. Some gigs pay $5, but some can pay much more.
Is your teen a great proofreader?
Teens who are great with grammar, spelling, and proofreading in general can offer those skills up for hire on Fiverr as well. So many people and companies need someone who can proof their copy and they like to outsource that work. It's a great option for someone who enjoys practicing proper grammar and knows punctuation rules.
Some companies hire work-from-home customer service reps.
Some companies hire customer service reps that work from home. U-Haul for example, will hire work-from-home customer reps who are 16 years old or over. You will have to invest in a good headset and have a space in your home where your teen can work without being distracted.
Creative teens can sell their designs online.
If your teen can draw or come up with clever sayings, she can use a service like CafePress to sell her designs on T-shirts, mugs, or pretty much anything. The great thing is that there is no initial investment because nothing is made until it is paid for in full. CafePress takes care of making the items, shipping them, and providing the designer with her cut of the customer's payment.
Set up a car wash.
Cars get dirty and need to be washed. If you live in a neighborhood with lots of driveways, your teen could offer to make car wash house calls. He can wash the cars without having to make contact with the owners and can get paid via PayPal or a similar service. Or if you have a driveway available, people can come by and park their car in your driveway to get it washed by appointment.
Help people practice their English.
Chatty teens might appreciate the opportunity to get paid to talk. There is a catch, though: They have to listen, too. Samespeak pays people who are native English speakers to coach students who are practicing how to speak English. It's great because the English students get to learn English that sounds more natural than anything they would learn in a textbook.
Get paid to listen in and review calls.
You know how when you call customer service lines you'll sometimes hear, "This call may be reviewed for training purposes?" Well, turns out that real live people get paid to review those calls. And one of those real live people could be your teen. Check out Humantic for possible opportunities.
Get paid to take surveys.
When it comes to filling out surveys for money, as far as we know, no one has ever gotten rich doing it. So, if big bucks is what your teen is looking for, then she should keep on looking. But, when nothing else is going on and your teen wants to at least make some pocket change, check out Survey Junkey for opportunities to get paid to fill out surveys.
Get creative and mix it up.
Have your teen make a list of all the things he could possibly do to make money. Include skills that he has that could be of service to others. Then have him offer them up. You can help by posting what he is offering on parenting boards or via your social media groups. Perhaps he can make some money washing cars and then some by mowing lawns and a little more via tutoring. There's no point in putting all of your eggs in one basket.
