Career Counselor's Top 5 Tips for Teens' Summer Job Hunts

by Amy Geffen, PhD

Whether you know exactly what you want to do after you graduate, or you don’t have a clue, these five tips for your career search will be useful during your career.

1) Join the professional association for your targeted career.

If you know your job target, whether it be marketing manager, social worker, financial analyst, sous-chef, or anything else, find out the non-profit association that is the go-to organization for members of that profession (e.g., AMA, ABA, NAPNAP, ASAE, SHRM). Go to local chapter meetings. Attend the annual conference. The association can provide you with a host of resources, many free, some paid, an opportunity to network with your peers, find a mentor, and become a thought leader within your profession.

2) Expand your network by building relationships.

The best way to look for a job is not simply to answer ads on the internet on typical job sites such as Monster, Indeed, or Zip Recruiter. The two best ways to find a job are through networking and writing directly to a company hiring manager (not human resources unless that is where you want to work). How do you build a network in your chosen field?

Join the association mentioned above
Connect with alumni from your high school, college, and graduate school through LinkedIn.
Build your network from alumni
Look on LinkedIn under your school and ask to connect.
Join a club for your hobby, volunteer, or become active in a religious or civic organization.
Then follow up to set up a phone call or Zoom chat.

Not sure what field you are interested in? Network to get “informational meetings” with people in different fields so you can learn about what they do, what their career path has been, what is their day like, what skills you need. You can find these people online, LinkedIn, company websites, networking to get informational meetings with people in your chosen field.

3) Apply for summer internships in the field of your choice.

As a student you want to get your foot in the door of your chosen field. The best way to do that is to apply for internships whether paid or unpaid. Working for your state legislature or at a financial services company, shadowing a designer in the fashion industry, or becoming a candy striper in a hospital are just some of the ways you can work during the summer. These experiences add to your resume, your skills set, and provide you with a reference and a network.

4) Try volunteering.

Lots of non-profits, including government agencies and hospitals, are looking for volunteers to prep meals, deliver meals, tutor children in ESL or math, help build homes, read stories. Many hospitals need volunteers. Teens can create hygiene kits to send to other countries. Typical non-profits looking for volunteers include: Girls Scouts, American Red Cross, zoos, museums, and parks.

5) Talk periodically with your career counselor at school.

Find out where the jobs are, who is hiring, when there are career fairs.

Amy Geffen is the Founder and President of Geffen Careers. Plan your job search, overcome your fears, contact Amy at Geffen Careers at geffena108@gmail.com.