23 Greatest First Jobs for College students and Teenagers

Touchdown your first job is an thrilling step towards independence and private development. Whether or not you’re seeking to achieve expertise, lower your expenses, or discover completely different profession paths, there are many entry-level roles to select from. We’ve put collectively a listing of the very best first jobs that not solely present a paycheck but in addition assist develop important expertise like customer support, communication, and time administration.

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Profession Exploration Worksheets

Use our free profession exploration lesson plans and handouts to encourage college students to discover all of the choices obtainable to them.

Greatest First Jobs within the Meals Business

Happy female employee working at a food factory and looking at the camera smiling — Getty Photos

Quick-Meals Employee

Whenever you consider first pupil jobs, flipping burgers is one which all the time involves thoughts! Quick-food workers put together meals, take buyer orders, and maintain the restaurant clear. They have to work rapidly in a fast-paced surroundings whereas sustaining high quality and buyer satisfaction.

Common Wage: $13.25 per hour
Training/Coaching: On-the-job coaching

Declare to Fame: Earlier than changing into a well-known comic and discuss present host, Jay Leno labored at McDonald’s.

Barista

Baristas put together and serve espresso, tea, and specialty drinks whereas offering pleasant customer support. In addition they keep gear, inventory provides, and deal with money transactions.

Common Wage: $14.75 per hour
Training/Coaching: On-the-job coaching

Declare to Fame: Earlier than changing into Spider-Man, Andrew Garfield labored as a barista at Starbucks, the place he developed robust customer support expertise.

Friendly hostess working at a restaurant and talking to clients at the entrance — Getty Photos

Restaurant Server or Host

Servers take meals orders, ship meals, and supply wonderful customer support. Hosts greet friends, handle seating, and help with restaurant operations. Servers even have the chance to earn ideas.

Common Wage: $13 per hour + ideas
Training/Coaching: On-the-job coaching

Declare to Fame: Earlier than touchdown her large break on Pals, Jennifer Aniston was a waitress!

Woman receiving delivery at home — Getty Photos

Supply Driver (for these 18+)

Supply drivers transport meals, groceries, or packages utilizing providers like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Instacart. This job gives versatile hours and the power to earn ideas. A driver’s license is clearly required!

Common Wage: $16.50+ per hour
Training/Coaching: Driver’s license, automobile (for many jobs)

Declare to Fame: Oscar-winning actor Brad Pitt delivered meals for El Pollo Loco, even dressing up as a hen.

Waiter holding up a tray with salmon on it ready to setting up food on a buffet table at a business conference. — Getty Photos

Catering or Banquet Server

Banquet servers work at weddings and company occasions, setting tables, serving meals, and making certain friends have an incredible expertise.

Common Wage: $14.50 per hour + ideas
Training/Coaching: On-the-job coaching

Declare to Fame: Earlier than changing into a way of life mogul, Martha Stewart ran a profitable catering enterprise, which helped launch her profession in meals and residential leisure.

Greatest First Jobs in Retail & Buyer Service

African employee seamlessly integrates technology into inventory management, using a digital tablet to track and organize items — Getty Photos

Retail Affiliate

Retail associates help prospects, arrange merchandise, and deal with transactions at shops like clothes retailers, bookstores, and grocery shops.

Common Wage: $14.50 per hour
Training/Coaching: On-the-job coaching

Declare to Fame: Earlier than changing into a rapper and vogue mogul, Kanye West labored at Hole, the place he developed an curiosity in vogue and design.

Woman using phone to make a contactless payment at the supermarket — Getty Photos

Grocery Retailer Bagger or Cashier

For a few years, this was the quintessential first pupil job! Grocery retailer workers help prospects by bagging gadgets, stocking cabinets, and dealing with transactions on the register.

Common Wage: $13.50 per hour
Training/Coaching: On-the-job coaching

Declare to Fame: Lengthy earlier than her Determined Housewives success, Eva Longoria began as a cashier at Wendy’s.

Portrait of tattooed cinema staff man against popcorn counter. He's wearing a uniform. — Getty Photos

Film Theater Attendant

Movie show workers promote tickets, put together concessions, and clear theaters between showings. They typically get pleasure from free or discounted film tickets as a perk.

Common Wage: $13.25 per hour
Training/Coaching: On-the-job coaching

Declare to Fame: Legendary director Quentin Tarantino labored at a video rental retailer, the place he developed his deep love for cinema.

Greatest First Jobs in Training & Childcare

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Babysitter

Babysitters supervise and care for kids whereas dad and mom are away. They might put together meals, help with homework, and interact youngsters in enjoyable actions.

Common Wage: $15+ per hour (varies by location)
Training/Coaching: CPR certification really useful/could also be required

Declare to Fame: There are a lot of tales of celebrities babysitting for different celebrities!

Camp Counselor

Camp counselors lead actions, supervise campers, and assist create a enjoyable and protected surroundings. It is a nice seasonal job for college kids who get pleasure from working with youngsters.

Common Wage: $13.50 per hour
Training/Coaching: CPR and first support certification could also be required

Declare to Fame: Earlier than changing into an Oscar-winning actor, Denzel Washington labored as a camp counselor, the place he honed his management and communication expertise.

Teacher showing a student some results on his paperwork. The student looks happy as they sit side by side at a table. Another student looks on. — Getty Photos

Tutor

Tutors assist college students with tutorial topics reminiscent of math, science, and English. They might work independently, via a tutoring heart, or on-line.

Common Wage: $18+ per hour
Training/Coaching: Topic proficiency, certification generally required

Declare to Fame: Years earlier than changing into a bestselling writer, Stephen King labored as a tutor to assist help himself whereas writing tales.

Greatest First Jobs in Healthcare & Security

Lifeguard

Lifeguards oversee swimming areas to make sure security, implement guidelines, and reply to emergencies. They work at swimming pools, water parks, and seashores.

Common Wage: $15.50 per hour
Training/Coaching: Lifeguard certification (Crimson Cross or equal)

Declare to Fame: The fortieth U.S. president, Ronald Reagan, labored as a lifeguard, a summer time job he saved for seven years!

Animal Care Jobs

Owner walking with dog together in park outdoors, summer vacation, Adorable domestic pet concept, Friendship between human and their pet — Getty Photos

Pet Sitter/Canine Walker

Pet sitters take care of animals whereas their homeowners are away, offering feeding, train, and companionship. Canine walkers take pets on each day walks to allow them to relieve themselves and to get train.

Common Wage: $14+ per hour (varies)
Training/Coaching: None required however expertise with animals could be anticipated

Declare to Fame: Whereas she’s already an enormous star, Pamela Anderson has been recognized to moonlight as a canine walker.

Greatest First Administrative & Workplace Jobs

Young woman working at a hotel reception desk, engaging with guests while skillfully using a computer in a modern, cozy lobby setting — Getty Photos

Receptionist or Workplace Assistant

Receptionists reply telephones, schedule appointments, and help with clerical duties in places of work. Workplace assistants assist with submitting, knowledge entry, and organizing paperwork.

Common Wage: $15 per hour
Training/Coaching: On-the-job coaching

Declare to Fame: Earlier than touchdown her breakout function on Pals, Jennifer Aniston labored as a receptionist, answering telephones and dealing with workplace duties.

A woman putting books on the shelves of an independent bookstore in San Francisco's Mission District. — Getty Photos

Library Assistant

Library assistants assist arrange books, help patrons, and handle check-ins and check-outs.

Common Wage: $14.50 per hour
Training/Coaching: On-the-job coaching

Declare to Fame: Beloved youngsters’s e book writer Beverly Cleary labored as a librarian, serving to younger readers uncover books.

Greatest First Out of doors & Bodily Labor Jobs

A man stands on lush green grass holding a large rake with a black fence and a tree in the background, perfect for gardening and outdoor work themes. — Getty Photos

Landscaping or Garden Care

Landscaping staff mow lawns, plant flowers, and carry out normal yard upkeep. This job is right for college kids who get pleasure from working outdoor.

Common Wage: $14.75 per hour
Training/Coaching: On-the-job coaching

Declare to Fame: After working as an apprentice gardener, Alan Titchmarsh grew to become a widely known media persona.

Happy female worker leading a group of farmers working at a plantation - agricultural activity concepts — Getty Photos

Farm or Agricultural Employee

Farm staff assist plant, harvest, and take care of crops. It is a bodily demanding however rewarding job, typically obtainable seasonally.

Common Wage: $14 per hour
Training/Coaching: On-the-job coaching

Declare to Fame: Matthew McConaughey labored on a farm in Australia earlier than making it in Hollywood.

Skilled car wash professional sprays a car exterior with precision, using a water cannon. — Getty Photos

Automotive Wash Attendant

Automotive wash attendants clear and dry automobiles at drive-through or hand-wash stations. Some positions permit for ideas, growing earnings.

Common Wage: $13.50 per hour + ideas
Training/Coaching: On-the-job coaching

Declare to Fame: Rapper and music mogul Rick Ross labored at a automobile wash, the place he developed a robust work ethic and dreamed of success.

Greatest First Inventive & Digital Jobs

Woman writes down orders while working in her home office — Getty Photos

Freelance Author or Blogger

Freelance writers create content material for web sites, blogs, and social media. They might write articles, product descriptions, or artistic items.

Common Wage: Varies
Training/Coaching: Writing expertise

Declare to Fame: Earlier than founding The Huffington Put up, Arianna Huffington labored as a contract author, publishing articles and books that helped launch her media empire.

teenage boy student talking with a voice assistant on smartphone while working at home during night. — Getty Photos

Social media assistants assist companies and influencers handle their on-line presence by creating posts, partaking with followers, and analyzing traits.

Common Wage: $15.50 per hour
Training/Coaching: Information of social media platforms

Declare to Fame: By understanding leverage social media in its earliest days, Justin Bieber‘s profession took off after posting movies on YouTube.

Greatest First Leisure & Occasions Jobs

Portrait of a happy family buying food at an amusement park and paying by card - lifestyle concepts — Getty Photos

Amusement Park Employee

Amusement park workers function rides, promote meals and merchandise, and help friends. These jobs are seasonal however could be a enjoyable method to earn cash.

Common Wage: $14 per hour
Training/Coaching: On-the-job coaching

Declare to Fame: Earlier than changing into a legendary comic, Steve Martin labored at Disneyland promoting guidebooks and performing magic methods, which helped form his comedic model.

Serious confident handsome young restaurant manager using tablet while dividing responsibilities among waiters in modern establishment — Getty Photos

Occasion Employees

Occasion staff help with concert events, sports activities video games, and festivals by organising, promoting tickets, or guiding friends.

Common Wage: $14.75 per hour
Training/Coaching: On-the-job coaching

Declare to Fame: Kim Kardashian labored as a private assistant and occasion organizer, most notably for Paris Hilton and Serena Williams, earlier than establishing herself as a public determine.

Greatest First Jobs—Internships & Profession Exploration

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Internships or Apprenticeships

Some corporations provide paid internships or apprenticeships to college students serious about particular profession fields. These roles are nice first pupil jobs since they supply hands-on expertise and networking alternatives.

Common Wage: Varies
Training/Coaching: Highschool diploma or at the moment enrolled

Declare to Fame: Earlier than changing into a media mogul, Oprah Winfrey began as a teenage intern at an area radio station.