Community Corner

What Are the Best Summer Jobs for Kids?

Local experts weigh in with a few tips to help teens get their foot in the door and make a few extra bucks this summer.

We all know how tough the job market is for adults these days. But now that the school year's wrapping up and kids are on the hunt for summer jobs, what's it like out there for them? We asked some local employment gurus how kids can get themselves out there and find the best fit for summertime success.

"The problem is that jobs are tight right now, and adults who have lost jobs are looking at the jobs that kids might usually have gotten in the past," said Ann Cebek, a job developer with the Irvine Unified School District. "You just have to keep at it. Go in person and show enthusiasm for the job."

Cebek suggested that teens looking for summer work start close to home so as to avoid any transportation problems. She also suggested they start with seasonal jobs at pools, beaches, camps and seasonal restaurants, as well as retail jobs that fall in line with their own interests.

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But teens should also take advantage of the same resources used by older job seekers, Cebec said, first and foremost, their local Orange County One-Stop Center, which posts new jobs every day. Job websites like Monster, Indeed and Careerbuilder, as well as Craigslist, are great places for teens to find jobs, she said.

Teens might also have to pay some dues now in order to reap the benefits later, said Al Rodriguez, manager of the Orange County Youth Center in La Habra. Teens lacking experience in a tough job market can get a head start on next summer by volunteering their time now.

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On the more profitable front, Rodriguez said, retail is picking up some, but those employers are often looking for teens over 18 years old. He also said there are soome opportunities in seasonal jobs, but also in temporary jobs with event planning companies that provide activities for corporate events.


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