Internships and apprenticeships are two of the best ways to land a job after you finish your studies. Spending a summer working for a company or organization is good preparation for your future career. These programs aren't always advertised, so you'll have to show the initiative to inquire about potential opportunities. (See Reference 1.) Apprenticeship programs are always paid and are designed for people who have a defined career pathway. Apprentices receive training to prepare them for a certain job. Internships, on the other hand, are restricted to a limited time frame and are for students who are exploring several career options. (See Reference 2.) It is difficult to find a well-paid internship, so if you do land an unpaid internship, don't be afraid to ask for a stipend to cover transportation or meal costs. Also, try and ensure you receive academic credit for any unpaid internship. (See Reference 1.)
Being a landscaper doesn't typically require any specific qualifications; you just need to be prepared to get your hands dirty. As manual labor jobs don't appeal to everyone, you should be able to find a company that's looking for some extra help. Working for a landscaping company may be the "best" summer job for someone who is looking for employment but does not fancy being stuck in an office all summer. (See Reference 3.)
Working as a waiter or waitress is a way of securing a regular source of income, and you can often build your schedule around your classes should you wish to continue working during term time. Some students mistakenly believe this role doesn't look good on their resumes, but Dan Klamm, an outreach and marketing coordinator at Syracuse University's Career Services office, says not that's the case. Rather than simply listing menial tasks such as delivering food to customers, he recommends taking advantage of opportunities to develop your customer service and team-building skills. (See Reference 4.)
Amusement parks are always looking to hire students to help them during the peak summer months. Parks employ workers for a variety of roles, such as ride operators, lifeguards, entertainers and retail sales agents, and you can work part-time or full-time. Other perks can include free admission and in-park discounts.
If you want to make more money than you would from simply working a 9-to-5 summer job, consider starting your own business. Walk around your neighborhood and see what services you could offer. Start off doing basic jobs like baby-sitting and mowing lawns and build up from there. If you're the tech-savvy type, offer to teach local companies how to promote events using social media and how to design websites. (See Reference 1.)