So summer is great and all — the dresses, the ice cream, the music festivals, the trips to the beach, the hot shirtless guys….But who pays for all that? (Ok maybe no one pays for the guys. Unless you want to go all “Magic Mike” and pull out some $1 bills. No judgment.) Basically, if you’re like me and want to try out the whole “being an adult thing” PLUS earn some extra cash for all those fun concerts or beach weekends, you’re probably looking for a job for this summer. Behold your list of greatest summer jobs, ranked by the best working environment, aka $$ + hot guys + air-conditioning.
5. Fro-yo shop
It’s hot outside. And if you live in North Carolina, definitely humid. There are going to be a lot of people looking for a way to cool off by means of food. Thankfully, fro-yo is mainly self-serve so all you have to do is sit near the cash register and weigh whatever the customer picks out. Plus at SweetFrog you get a free serving while you work. Pretty sweet.
4. Babysitter
Yes, I know, you totally babysat when you were in 7th grade and all, but the job still pays well (and no taxes!). Most kids are still cute, and most homes have air conditioning. Think about it.
3. Lifeguard
The quintessential summer job. The only reason this is not ranked #1 is that usually the job actually consists of watching little kids try not to pee in the pool. And you can get awful sunburns. But there are still the occasional shirtless guys (it is a pool, of course), and on your break you can go for a swim. Plus work on your tan, sunscreen applied.
2. Men’s clothing store
No one considers this and yet it is actually a great gig. You get to dress up, stand in an air-conditioned building, and assist men with their outfits. Not only are you doing a charitable service (very few guys know that polka dots do not go with plaid), you also have your wide selection of men to choose from. Pick a store that caters to your type– you like preppy frat guys? J.Crew. How about sensible kind quiet dudes? Gap. Pre-meds or pre-law students? Banana Republic. Rough hipsters? Urban Outfitters. It’s simple, it’s fun, and you literally are (un)dressing guys for a living.
1. Sports bar
If you’re like me and not 21, don’t fret. You can still work at a bar and serve alcohol, even if you can’t legally drink it. Plus, you’ll meet enthusiastic guys, be surrounded by food all day, and even get to catch a baseball game or two. It’s a fun gig and you’ll get great stories.
And there you have it: the basic guide to summer jobs. Select carefully, and have fun.