Teen summer job benefits

In the 1950s and again in the late 1970s, teen employment in the U.S. hit historic highs. Summer jobs were the norm, not the exception. Teens worked not just to earn extra money, but because there was a cultural expectation to do so. The corner store, the local pool, the neighbor’s lawn—all were rite-of-passage workplaces.

Today, the landscape is more complicated. While the employment rate for teens aged 16 to 19 dipped significantly in the 2000s, recent summers have seen a modest rebound. The reasons? They’re both old and new: economic pressure, college resume building, and a fresh craving for real-world experience.

One factor is inflation. With rising living costs, some families are encouraging teens to chip in. For others, a summer job helps cover personal expenses—from mobile plans to extracurriculars—without leaning on parents. But it’s not just about money. "Many teens want work experience because they see it as a way to stand out in college applications or future internships," says Lissett Bohannon, M.Ed, a student career coach. "They know that soft skills matter."

Miriam Groom, CEO of Mindful Career, agrees. "The workplace has become a proving ground. Teens today are very aware that real-world experience gives them a leg up, not just in skill-building but in networking and career direction."

Summer jobs give teens something that school often can't: a sense of agency. According to social worker Jillian Amodio, LMSW, "Structured, purposeful activity during summer months can boost mental health and self-esteem."

She adds, "It helps teens learn how to set boundaries, manage time, interact with adults, and follow through on responsibilities. These are transitional skills that smooth the path into adulthood." Even when the work is entry-level, the exposure to adult environments can reshape how teens see themselves. Whether it’s dealing with a grumpy customer or learning how to track shifts, each task builds autonomy.

The soft skills gained through summer employment are no small matter. Showing up on time, working in a team, handling feedback, and adapting to unexpected challenges are competencies that last a lifetime. Bohannon recalls one student who was constantly late to school. "Then one summer they worked a food service job and completely changed. They told me, 'I didn’t realize how serious it was until I missed a shift and got written up.'"

That kind of wake-up call is precisely why so many educators and career coaches support teen employment. It can be transformative.

Bohannon encourages teens to explore work that aligns with their interests. A teen into sports might assist at a soccer camp. Someone curious about culinary arts could try hosting or waiting tables. Others may find fulfillment in volunteering with younger children, working retail, or helping in local nonprofits. "Don’t overthink the prestige of the job," she notes. "Even babysitting teaches responsibility and time management. It’s about growth, not glamour."

Groom emphasizes the value of internships, including unpaid ones. "They offer a window into professional environments. If you’re interested in tech, law, or healthcare, even a shadowing experience can open doors."

She also advises teens to look into local government programs, nonprofits, and small businesses, where the learning curve might be less steep but the mentorship more personal.

The best time to apply for summer jobs? Early spring.

"By March or April, employers are already planning for summer," Groom says. "Waiting until June drastically reduces your options."

Resources to explore include:

• VolunteerMatch.org or Idealist.org for volunteering roles
• Indeed and LinkedIn for Students for age-appropriate job listings
• Local community centers, libraries, and schools, which often have noticeboards or referral programs
• Word of mouth—often the most effective channel

"Some of my students found roles through their parents' workplaces or clubs they were already in," Bohannon adds. "Start with your own circles."

Parents play a critical role. From helping teens prepare resumes to offering transportation, adult support can be the difference between a successful summer job and a frustrating false start.

"Start by helping your teen draft a resume, even if it just includes school projects, volunteer work, or extracurriculars," Bohannon recommends. "That first document helps build confidence." Groom adds that organization is key. "Set goals together: how many applications to submit weekly, when to follow up, and how to prepare for interviews."

Amodio encourages parents to look beyond the paycheck. "Ask your teen what they want to learn. Frame the job search as a way to explore new sides of themselves."

The teen summer job isn’t just about savings accounts or college applications. It’s about showing up, getting things wrong, learning, and trying again. These experiences teach grit in a way curated extracurriculars can’t.

They also spark questions: What kind of environments do I enjoy? Do I like helping people directly? Do I work better solo or in a team? "One summer job can help a teen figure out what they definitely don’t want to do," Groom laughs. "That’s just as useful as discovering what you do want."

For many parents, the resurgence of teen summer work is a reminder of their own formative experiences. "I remember cleaning tables at an ice cream parlor at 15," one parent shared. "It wasn’t glamorous, but it taught me more about people skills than any class I took."

Gen Z is building its own version of that story—sometimes behind a cash register, sometimes through a laptop, sometimes volunteering at a dog shelter. The world may have changed. But the value of learning through work hasn’t.

In an era of digital lives and academic overachievement, summer jobs offer teens something tangible: evidence of their own capabilities. The feeling of finishing a shift, solving a real-world problem, or getting through a tough day is an experience no resume bullet point can fully capture. That’s why summer jobs still matter—perhaps more than ever. When a teenager learns how to manage their time, earn money, resolve conflict, and contribute to a team, they’re not just working. They’re becoming.