Summer jobs that require sunscreen

An early summer job search can ensure you’re working outdoors

People look for a number of different things in summer jobs: good pay, prime location, flexible hours, and one more thing – no walls. If you can’t be on vacation this summer, you at least want to pretend you are. And no summer vacation is complete without warm rays, sunglasses and a bottle of sunscreen. (A Slip ‘N Slide and flip-flops are nice, too, but probably not work appropriate.)

Lucky for you and the nation’s 70 million hourly workers, there are plenty of summer jobs out there that require you to work outdoors. If you’re having trouble finding one, we’ve got a couple of suggestions below:

1. Camps & recreation programs

There is only one thing more fun than swimming, playing tag and hiking as a kid all summer. And that’s doing it as an adult. (And trust us, even if you think you’re in shape, the kids will wear you out.) Whether you’re working as a lifeguard at the community pool or leading campfire songs and ghost stories at sleep-away camp, the only thing that will match your huge level of responsibility is the fun you’ll have on the job. These camp and recreation summer jobs are also a great way to hone specific job skills and build experience for a future career. For example, if you want to go to art school, why not start out teaching in the arts and crafts program. If you want to pursue a career in coaching or physical education, be sure you’re the one supervising the dodge ball game.

2. Theme park gigs

Wouldn’t it be cool to have “Goofy” or “Donald” (Duck, not Trump) on your résumé one day? Sure, working at a big-time theme park can seem kind of surreal when you’re surrounded by larger-than-life, living and breathing cartoon mascots all day, but you’ll get used to it. And when you stop and think about how many people it requires to run and maintain these huge fantasy attractions, the numbers add up quickly. In other words, if you want summer jobs in a theme park, you don’t need to wear white gloves and mouse ears. Think about all the hospitality jobs, from the restaurant workers to the photographers who snap your photos when you enter the park gates. Then there are the ride operators, the custodial crew and tons of positions we can’t even think of. One added perk to working these jobs is that many theme parks offer free or discounted admissions passes for you (and sometimes your friends and family). So be sure to include them in your summer job search. Check out Walt Disney World Resort jobs and Universal Studios Orlando Resort jobs.

3. Pack your bags and punch the clock

Did you know that employers in popular vacation destinations around the country are looking for hourly workers just like you? The reason is that the federal government has limited the number of visas made available to the foreign workers who usually fill these positions. Now these businesses – from resorts to hotels – are looking for U.S. workers with free time to pick up the slack this summer. It’s a perfect opportunity for teen summer jobs.

About the author
Mike Ward is the Senior Online Editor for SnagAJob.com.
SnagAJob.com is America's largest hourly job website, featuring more than 100,000 jobs in industries including: restaurant, retail, hospitality, healthcare and more.