Summer Work for College Students: A Sample Essay with MLA Citations

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Summer employment opportunities for college students has never been more lucrative. Of course, students can still look local when finding summer employment, but depending on your goals, you could find yourself working clear across the globe! This sample MLA essay below explores a myriad of work ideas to fill your summer, many of which you may not have thought about before.

Take advantage of summer jobs

The college days are often referred to as some of the best years of our lives, but nowadays the expense of college is driving more and more students to look for employment while attending classes. However, the classic days of summer work for college students is still alive and well, albeit with a much broader scope. Gone are the days when students must look to the local diner or gas station to fill the dog days of summer and make an extra buck.

Summer internships

While most students look for summer employment in order to make extra money, taking on an internship over the summer is a great way to gain valuable experience in your field of study and make connections for post-graduate employment opportunities. You may even make a few bucks while you’re at it! Internships can be found almost anywhere, especially if you offer your services for free, but if you’re looking for a-once-in-a-lifetime experience the following internship opportunities may be just up your alley. Just get ready to write a resume for these internships.

NASA summer internship

NASA offers summer internships for High School through Graduate level students pursuing a related field of study, but what qualifies as related ranges from business to science. You must be a U.S. citizen and maintain a 3.0 GPA.

Art returns internship at Marvel Entertainment

This internship is available for full-time college students, and involves filing and processing the extensive artwork of Marvel comic artists.

Disney College Program

Calling all Disney lovers! This internship is offered to college students who have completed at least one semester, and allows you to work in a variety of positions at Disney parks. Best of all, this one is open to all majors!

Google, Inc.

For those interested earning a two or four-year degree in technology, Google’s software developer internship may be right for you. This internship is available to full-time students pursuing a degree in computer science or a related field. Interns work on product and systems development, test engineering, or site reliability.

MSNBC

Interested in media or broadcasting? The newsroom internship from MSNBC may be right for you. You must be of sophomore standing or above, and will work with the Senior Producer as an assistant. You must also have knowledge of politics, current events, and history to qualify.

National Park Service

The outdoors more your style? Look no further than the National Park Service for summer employment opportunities. With 58 National Parks and a multitude of National Historic sites and other park elements, there is an opportunity to work for the National Park Service no matter your location. Additionally, the National Park Service offers employment opportunities to fit every situation. You can work for pay, take part in an internship, or volunteer your time. You may even be able to score accommodations in exchange for working if you can commit to the majority of the summer season. Many jobs are filled at the park level, so make sure to contact the park that you are interested in to see what opportunities are available.

Looking summer jobs abroad

For those feeling more adventurous, there are many summer opportunities offered abroad. As with other types of summer opportunities, there is a program out there for whatever interests you. You may study abroad, volunteer, be an intern, or work. One of the most widely available jobs abroad is as an English teacher. There are many opportunities to teach abroad and get paid at the same time. Most positions pay about $1,000 a month, plus accommodations! Plus, you get to travel, learn a new language, and immerse yourself in a new culture.

You’ll need some college and a TESOL certificate for most positions, but the certification can be easily acquired online. While a simple Google search will turn up tons of information on opportunities abroad, you can save yourself a lot of time and hassle by checking out GoAbroad.com. GoAbroad.com is a comprehensive directory for traveling abroad and allows you to explore various opportunities at the click of a button. No matter what kind of program you’re looking for, GoAbroad.com is a great starting point. You can even search by the country you’re interested in!

Go for a more exciting summer job

We’ve already covered a broad range of interesting summer job opportunities, but some are so unusual they warrant a category all to themselves. So without further adieu, here are three really fun and unusual summer job opportunities to consider (Eneriz).

Unusual summer jobs

Work for a cruise line

A great way to travel while still getting paid is to get a job with a cruise line. Although you are working and not enjoying the cruise as a guest, you will get free room, food, health insurance, and the opportunity to travel the world. While you won’t get rich working for a cruise line, you’ll get to travel for free and save a lot of money in the meantime.

Camp counselor

Another outdoor summer opportunity is to become a camp counselor. This job can help psychology majors study developing personality traits in children. No matter your interest or skill set, there is a camp out there that could use your services. There are camps throughout the United States and abroad as well, and most will pay for training and accommodations. But the best benefit of all is sharing your love of the outdoors with the next generation of kids.

Be a movie star

Seriously! No, you won’t become a movie star, but you can sign up to be an extra. Being an extra typically pays between $65 and $100 a day, but free food and the opportunity to meet actors and actresses makes up for the lack of funds. Backstage.com is a great place to check out casting calls near you.

Local summer jobs

Last but not least, for those just looking to make an extra buck without all the hassle of travel, there is the good old local summer job. These positions can be found anywhere, and are the perfect flexible job for a summer off. What follows is a list of the most common local summer jobs, but is by no means an exhaustive list.

Most common local summer jobs

Freelance writer

If you are a good writer, freelance writing may be the perfect job for you, if you can manage your freelance time. You can write for blogs, magazines, or for other writing establishments (ahem, Ultius!). Freelance writing is especially good as a side gig, as it’s flexible and allows you to work as much or as little as you want.

Server

Ah, the good old server job. Although it can be difficult, waiting tables is a flexible way to make extra money, and once you get on with a restaurant chances are they will welcome your services when available. Plus, you’ll gain valuable work experience.

Nanny/Babysitting

Babysitting is always in demand, as parents will often pay well to get a night out. However, you can score even more benefits as a nanny. Ever heard of Mary Poppins? As a nanny you’ll not only get paid well, but often room and board to go with it. Furthermore, you’ll get to partake in a bunch of activities with the kids for free!

Dog-Walker

Love dogs? Busy individuals are always looking for reliable people to spend time with their pets, and the pay isn’t bad either at an average of $11.75 an hour. If you love dogs and don’t mind getting a lot of exercise, dog walking may be perfect for you.

Lifeguard

Summer is hot and many people will be looking to hit the pool. Whether you work at a resort or the local community pool, why not get paid to sit in the sun all day? Of course you’ll need CPR and first aid certification, but a quick class can take care of that. If lounging by the pool is your thing, consider lifeguarding the perfect summer job.

Nothing in this list catch your fancy? There are plenty of other summer job ideas out there. If not, don't worry! Need a job, but don’t know where to start? Learn how to write a resume with no job experience.

Works Cited

Brickman, Nathan. "I Got Bills: 21 Summer Jobs for College Students." College Magazine. College Magazine, 21 Apr. 2015. Web. 22 May 2016. http://www.collegemagazine.com/got-bills-21-summer-jobs-college-students/.

Crotty, James. "5 Best Summer Jobs for College Students - Deconstructed." Forbes. Forbes, 9 June 2012. Web. 22 May 2016. http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesmarshallcrotty/2012/06/09/5-best-summer-jobs-for-college-students-deconstructed/#176f1da8c20c.

Dutta, Soma. "12 Highest Paying Part-Time Jobs for College Students." Insider Monkey. Insider Monkey, 24 Aug. 2015. Web. 22 May 2016. http://www.insidermonkey.com/blog/12-highest-paying-part-time-jobs-for-college-students-365508/.

Eneriz, Ashley. "4 Exciting Summer Jobs for College Students." Unigo. Unigo, 16 June 2015. Web. 22 May 2016. https://www.unigo.com/in-college/college-experience/4-exciting-summer-jobs-for-college-students.

GoAbroad.com. GoAbroad.com, 2016. Web. 22 May 2016. http://www.goabroad.com/.

Hoyt, Elizabeth. "50+ Exciting Summer Internships for College Students and Grad Students." Fastweb. Fastweb, 16 Feb. 2016. Web. 22 May 2016. http://www.fastweb.com/career-planning/articles/the-30-exciting-summer-jobs-for-college-students-grad-students.

United States. National Park Service. "Jobs for Students." U.S. National Park Service. 2016. Web. 22 May 2016. https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/jobsforstudents.htm.