Berkeley Parents Network: Summer Jobs for Teens

Berkeley Parents Network

Summer Jobs for Teens

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Summer Camps & School Breaks > Summer Jobs for Teens

Summer jobs for 16-year-olds?

Jan 2006

My daughters will be looking for summer jobs, before starting their senior year at high school. A headstart seems good, but no leads at present. They live in North Oakland, not driving now but likely by summer. Ideas are welcome! Kevin

How about letting her do the work of figuring out her summer? Sounds like she has some ideas and she should pursue them - the language class, JR lifeguards. That, along w/ her evening and weekend sports activity, sounds like plenty for summer. Then the next summer when she is 16 she'll have some experience to offer a swimming program. In the past, King pool in Berkeley has taken on young people to clean the pool, check the water chemistry, work the snack shack, and then when older they become lifeguards and swimming teachers. Also, boredom isn't always a bad thing and can give us time to figure out what we really want to do. Good luck! In the same boat

Lifeguard Jobs

May 2002

Does anyone know of any lifeguard opportunities available in the East Bay for a summer job for a 17-year old? Thank you! Sally

The Berkeley YMCA often advertises jobs for lifeguards. That would be a good place to start. You could also check Strawberry Canyon and the other UC Berkeley pools (although they may have already completed their hiring for the summer). I believe the city pools (such as King pool) hire earlier in the spring, but it never hurts to ask. Also keep checking the want ads in the Daily Planet and the Daily Cal. Frances

Try the city of Berkeley. My daughter has taught swim lessons and lifeguarded at different Berkeley pools for the past 2 summers. Mary

Getting a job in Retail

March 2001 My 17 year old daughter wants to work this Summer, but not in a camp or rec. environment. Does anyone know of a place where she can look for jobs in retail or a small office situation? It would be good if she could find work in Berkeley or Oakland or even in SF if it were close to BART. Thanks, Mary

Many retail stores on Fourth Street seem always to be hiring sales staff. I know a couple of high school students who have found summer jobs on down here. Perhaps your daughter could walk down the block and check out the situation. Good luck! Suzanne

REI is always hiring cashiers. -- Toby

Summer Jobs for Teens

Berkeley Public Library Programs - In addition to the volunteer suggestions (see below) the Berkeley Public Library hires five high school students annually for part time work. The job is posted in August and, if interested, your student should check the library for applications. Librarian Francisca Goldsmith also suggested students check out the following activities for this summer. (May/June 1999 BHS PTSA Newsletter)

Census Taker - Seniors: Looking for a job? Call Valerie Healy at 486-5369 to find out about working as a census taker. It pays well. (from the BHS daily bulletin 2/00)

Childcare - Last summer I was able to get my daughter a job at her younger sister's preschool which was wonderful, but I know this would have been impossible if I had not know this school for so many years. -- Lynn (3/00)

City of Berkeley Youth Works program - The Youth Works program still exists but will offer competitive positions, mostly for ages 16 years and older. These jobs are the "private sector component" which prefers more work-ready clients. The program runs year round. Summer applications will be availabe 5/1. Kids 16 and older are invited to participate. They should go to the Youth Works office for an application and readiness assessment. Youth Works has a website located at: http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/hhs/commsvc/youth/youth.html

Youth Works
2055 Center Street
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 883-6508   Telephone
(510) 644-7731   Fax
(510) 644-6915   TDD

Hours of Operation:  Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Counselor in Training - see Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Programs

Jewish Vocational Services - The Avodah program of Jewish Vocational Service in San Francisco is now welcoming applications for its second year of paid summer internships for Jewish teens. Avodah interns work four days a week in various Jewish community agencies and meet one day a week as a group for a professional and personal development seminar. Participants will receive a $900 stipend for participation in the six week summer program. The Avodah program is a project of JVS, funded by a grant from the Jewish Community Endowment Fund of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties and is supported by a grant from the Jewish Community Foundation, Jewish Federation of the Greater East Bay. The program is open to students living in these regions. In addition to the summer programming, Avodah (Hebrew for work) is sponsoring a variety of workshops and events to help teens develop workplace skills and experiences such as a Career and Job Skills Fair on Jan 9, a Summer Jobs and Activities Fair on March 12, and several summer job workshops to be held during the spring season. Please contact Jenni Mangel at JVS at(415) 782-6223 or jmangel@jvs.org for further information. -- Deborah (Jan 2000)

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