Summer Jobs & Interships for Teens
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Summer Jobs & Interships for Teens
May 2012
My 16 year old sophomore daughter and I seek a summer internship
opportunity for her in the field of law. We have found only very
pricy, very short programs, I don't know if you could even
call them internships. A couple of them are in D.C. and sponsored
by universities. While these seem reputable and like a lot of fun
and claim to build a student's college marketability, they
don't have a real-world feel. They feel to me like very
expensive, one-week summer camps. I would like to hear from
parents whose children have attended these summer programs but
also from parents whose children have found the more traditional
summer internship. How did you find it? How did it benefit your
child?
This may not be exactly what your daughter had in mind, but for the last 2
years my son has been volunteering at McCullum Youth Court in Oakland.
This is a program designed to keep first-time youth offenders out of the
juvenile justice system by providing restorative justice. Teens get to
serve on a jury and can train to become attorneys, clerks or bailiffs. My
son loves it and has decided to study peace/global studies in college with
an ultimate aim of working towards restorative justice. More info at:
http://www.youthcourt.org/
Jan 2012
My 18-year-old son is looking for a summer job. It could be a retail
or restaurant job or as a camp counselor or something like that. He
was a TA in his Hebrew school but aside from that he has no work
experience. Are there any resources to help teens find summer
employment or does anyone know of camps or other summer programs
looking to hire a responsible teen for the summer?
If i were you i would check with cities and uc berkeley rec dept and
other summer camps about counselor opportunities. His ta work could
serve him well. If you would like to stay with the jewish theme check
out summer camps at a jcc or at keh tov or the sleep away camp with a
jewish theme (cant remember the name...is it camp tawonga?). I believe
the camps are starting interviews now or soon so check web sites and
call and get the status asap. Get some folks who know of his ta work to
be references. Probably will be the best chance for summer work.
Ideally he will lead or at least be a full partner in the search.
Anon
Jan 2012
My high school student who is currently in her junior year is
interested in a summer internship in a biology lab. She is a
very high achieving student and is interested in studying
biology in college. Can anyone recommend local programs at a
research lab that might offer summer study positions.
Joy
You could try Biotech Partners (website =
http://www.biotechpartners.org/). They organize internships for
high school juniors, mostly drawn from specific programs at
Berkeley High and Oakland Tech. You could also try Project Seed,
organized by the American Chemical Society. There is some overlap
between these two programs. I would also suggest contacting
appropriate departments at UC Berkeley and UCSF or major biotech
firms in the area -- they may be able to point you in the direction
of internship sponsors. Lastly, you might contact temporary
agencies that fill positions at biotech firms, such as Aerotek or
Kelly Scientific, to see if they know about any internships or
internship-like positions.
Good luck!
June 2011
My 15 year old son, who is moving on to High School next year in
Albany
REALLY WANTS a part time summer job of any kind. He is extremely
computer efficient and creative, however, the ''job'' can be
anything.
thanks!
Jane
Although I can't recommend any positions a great resource to look at
is the Youth Service For Change Summer Resource Guide:
http://youthserviceforchange.org/summer/rs
Youth Service For Change is an up and coming organization run by a 17
year old Berkeley resident, that connects teens with Bay Area
non-profits for volunteering opportunities. The resource guide lists a
number of organizations which offer free programs to connect teens
with employment opportunities as well as a few jobs. In addition it
also lists free summer internships some of which are paid. Good luck!
Berkeley Mom
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
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
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)
this page was last updated: Aug 13, 2012
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