Summer Job Options

[Other.]

I'm kind of frustrated with my job. I work 3pm to 12am every night and I've completely sacrificed my social life for 10 dollars an hour. Not only the hours drag and it's late night but majority of our customers are lazy ********. I also work around toxic chemicals and breath in the dust every night when blowing out the store. Not good for my health. It's just to much stress, and steals to much of my social life for an 18 year old boy. I've only been working at the store for two months, I'll get a substantial raise in one more month it's just that closing the store is getting really old fast.

I need to get out of retail.

I've been kind of fantasizing of the old classic lawn cutting for the summer. I'd have to make a few investments of course. I was talking about this with my mom earlier and she does not think it's reality for a guy my age saving up for a car. I think she's wrong though. I could also get my name around for other home and lawn care needs and possibly even dog walking.

Has anyone done this at one point in their life or doing it now? Is it legit or am I just doing what I said, fantasizing?

[Hamby]

Sounds like a crappy job you have...but the pay is good for an 18 year old.

I'm 18 and i work for the motorcycle rider program in my area. I could never have a part time job because i go up to wisconsin so often. With the motorcycle course i get to choose when i work, i get 8.50 an hour, and i only work during the weekend. Works for me! I get to go up to the cottage for the first two weeks in june, then i have to come back to work the last two weekends in june. Same thing in july. I work about 24 hours each weekend i choose to work, so i still get plenty of money to fuel my fishing addiction.

[Captin Obvious]

I had a friend who did that payed off his car and some of his college too.

Its hard work long hours and with the price of gas maybe not so easy to make money.

But as a 20 who owns his own company I can say nothing beats working for yourself. And its a double edge sword so be careful.

If you do get started doing it PM me I know how to get local services on the internet and I'd like to help you.

Capt.O

[ROCbass]

Without knowing your exact situation, it seems like unless you want to do this long term, the startup cost for a legitimate lawn cutting business (truck, trailer, mowers, etc.) would be prohibitively high, and the type of lawn cutting "business" I had when I was 14 or 15 where you just mow a few neighbors or family friends lawns wouldn't earn you very much money. Since the title of your post is summer job options, let me tell you about some summer jobs I've had that you might consider. The best summer job I've had as far as money and hours was as summer help for a mechanical contractor. I got over ten dollars an hour an hour and worked a normal 7-3:30 monday through friday schedule driving materials and tools from the shop to job sites and doing some pre-fab work. It was a good job and I usually found it relatively enjoyable. I loved the hours and the pay and I met some interesting characters, but I only did it for a year. For the past 3 summers, I've worked as a counselor and climbing wall instructor at a summer camp for kids with special needs, and I absolutely love it. The hours are much longer than the summer help job I had and the pay isn't as nearly as good, especially if you calculate my weekly salary into an hourly rate, but its a ton of fun and one of the most intrinsically rewarding things I have ever done. Also, although I don't make as much money, I also spend a lot less because I live at work and meals are provided. Another job I had before the summer help mechanical contractor job was as kitchen staff at a summer camp. I did a little bit of everything, from prep and service to scrubbing pots and pans. This was another fun job with a normal workweek, although the pay wasn't as good as the summer help job.

[bilgerat]

Let's review the crappy jobs I had in my younger days...

First one was at 15 working in the back of a pizza joint. That one sucked.

Delivering auto parts - this actually worked out in the long run as the parts store owner and his wife were great people to work for. I learned a ton of things that help me to this day. 25 years later I still deal with them.

Worked for a landscaper. Mostly commercial cutting at apartment and condo complexes. Long hot days for little pay.

Warehouse order picker, then truck driver for same company. The worst job I've ever had. Period.

Pumping gas. The only perk to this job was making extra cash doing the 'air oil' scam. Back then, motor oil was sold in quart cans that you had to stab a spout into before pouring into the engine. The scam was to keep an empty can of oil on top of the display. When someone asked you to check the oil, you told them they were a quart low. 99% of the time they ok'd you to put the oil in. You went through the motions of stabbing the can and pouring it, then checking the dipstick. Bingo, $3.00 for 5 minutes effort. 10 to 15 times during a busy shift gave you some spendin' cabbage. I'm not particulary proud of it, it is what it is.

With the exception of the auto parts store, crappy jobs motivated me to go and get something better, so they can serve a purpose.

[slonezp]

Pumping gas. The only perk to this job was making extra cash doing the 'air oil' scam. Back then, motor oil was sold in quart cans that you had to stab a spout into before pouring into the engine. The scam was to keep an empty can of oil on top of the display. When someone asked you to check the oil, you told them they were a quart low. 99% of the time they ok'd you to put the oil in. You went through the motions of stabbing the can and pouring it, then checking the dipstick. Bingo, $3.00 for 5 minutes effort. 10 to 15 times during a busy shift gave you some spendin' cabbage. I'm not particulary proud of it, it is what it is.

At 20 I had a wife and baby. I was the "new car prep" guy at a car dealership. In addition to getting the cars ready for the customer after they made a purchase. I was also instructed to disable the cars people were planning on trading in if the salesman was close to closing the deal. The customer would get in their car to leave and it wouldn't start. Now they either buy the new car or have the dealer repair the old one. So a few years later I'm watching TV and the Feds shut down the dealership and threw the alleged mafia owners in jail.

First of all, you should be wearing some kind of respirator when you're blowing out the shop. Secondly, you want to lose your social life? Have a kid at 20. Thirdly, cutting lawns nowadays is not just cutting lawns. Most people who can afford a landscaper also have bushes, trees, and flowers to tend to. Remember, you can't win if you don't play. On the flipside there's a chance that won't work out. If nothing else you'll learn from the experience.

My crappy jobs before I turned 21:

Stock boy at Ace Hardware @ 13 years old

Unloaded trucks at Toys R Us

Changed oil

Washed cars

[BASSclary]

I think the lawn-moving, dog-walking thing just doesn't work now-a-days. Especially with our economy. I tried it, and guess what, you'll spend more money buying lawn mower gas then you'll make for profit because nobody wants to pay more than 20$ for humongous lawns, and 2. they have kids they can get to do it for free. Although there are a few cash crops, but i'd keep your job.

[hookingem]

I'm happy to say I can't relate. I got a job at the local tackle shop when I was 16, and will continue to work there until I leave for college in August. After that I will still even work on breaks ect. The only two things I can complain about is half my paycheck being spent in the store, and being jealous of the guys that are heading out to fish while i'm stuck at work. I have taken in a lot of really good information about local waters, and had the opportunity to meet some awesome people. If you have a local tackle shop go in and inquire you never know what might come of it.

[tipptruck1]

I had three jobs and school when I was 18. Working almost 40 hours a week and school. I still found a lot of time to hang out with friends. I don't know how you cant find time to hang with them.

Now that I am 25 I would rather work 40+ hours a week then hang out with friends. Friends don't pay my bills.

[hookingem]

I worked two jobs all school year only getting about 33 hours a week total though.

[clayton86]

Find a six flags resort when I was ur age and younger I worked at six flags darien lake pay was so so nothing great but the perks made up for it. Free tickets to get in and the women there was eye candy everywhere what more could a 18yearold guy ask for beside over time paid in budwiser.

My crapy jobs list is pitching hay bales at 12 years old, janitor in a factory at 15 till 18 part time, fed ex was a cool job but sucked unloading and loading the trucks it got hot in them trailers

[Lund Explorer]

Find a six flags resort when I was ur age and younger I worked at six flags darien lake pay was so so nothing great but the perks made up for it. Free tickets to get in and the women there was eye candy everywhere what more could a 18yearold guy ask for beside over time paid in budwiser.

My crapy jobs list is pitching hay bales at 12 years old, janitor in a factory at 15 till 18 part time, fed ex was a cool job but sucked unloading and loading the trucks it got hot in them trailers

I'm surprised that under the list of crappy jobs, that you didn't include deployment to AFPAK or IRAQ! Blowing out the store sounds fairly tame compared to having your store (or anything else) blown up.

[clayton86]

I haven't deployed yet other wise that would be up there but right now I'm in train up then when I hit the ground around thanksgiving I can list babysitting the afghan army and police.

[SirSnookalot]

I never viewed any job as a crap job, it earned me an income when I needed it. I did have some that I liked better than others, one of my favorites was stocking shelves at the A& P when I attended the Univ of Mich. Hours were 10pm to 6am, usually worked more than 8 hours and was paid overtime as p/t employees were on an 8 hour day not a 40 hour week, double pay on Sat nite. As a 20 year old kid I had tireless energy and thirst to make money, that carried over into my adult life.

[NHfroggin]

J just picked up another job for the summer with a party tent rental company. It pays 15$ an hour. During a normal 8 hour day we maybe work for 3 hours the rest of the time were getting paid to drive the company trucks to and from sites. The three hours we do work were bustin are ***. Yesterday 8 of us put up a 280' by 60' tent with about 250 4 foot stakes to pound in. Between this job and my normal security work im at about 60 hours a week and still find time to hang out with my friends and fish. Retail can be good cause if your still in school they usually will work with your schedule. Ten dollars an hour is good for being 18 and your getting a substantial raise. I would keep your job.

-matt-

[oteymc]

I would never be one to squelch one's entrepreneurial spirit, just do your homework - look into potential customers. You don't want to buy all that equipment just to mow five lawns. That being said, there have got to be other jobs around if this one is not working out. Get on craigslist, etc. I am paying someone to mow and weedeat a my yard at the house I am trying to sell, I pay $45.00 a week.

[Captin Obvious]

Get on craigslist, etc. I am paying someone to mow and weedeat a my yard at the house I am trying to sell, I pay $45.00 a week.

Yep this is good advice. Like I said if you go that rout send me a pm and I be glad to help you get your service out of the net.

I do it all the time for people and it be no problem do it for you.

Capt.O

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Crappy Jobs:

Pet Store

Garage Cleanup

Non Crappy Jobs:

Army

Self Employment

Find something you enjoy and stick with it.

If you really want that car, you'll suck it up and drive on. Or you can ride on a Schwinn.

[Other.]

Yep this is good advice. Like I said if you go that rout send me a pm and I be glad to help you get your service out of the net.

I do it all the time for people and it be no problem do it for you.

Capt.O

I actually decided not to go that route. My mom talked me out of it. She's right it's to late in the season. I should of started selling myself back in march and find a stable client base before the season. Most of anyone that actually cares about their lawns already have contracts with somebody.

I just really wish I could get away from all the toxic dust. It's what I hate the most, it's gotta give cancer to anyone who does this for a prolonged time. We're talking about major dust cloud that covers your entire body when after you're done and when you get home at 12:30am you just wanna go to straight to bed with out shower.

I've put some thought in getting personal trainer certified once I get my HS diploma (in 4 days ) I'd be good at it plus lifting and dieting is my passion. I personally feel im more qualified with out certification then the average chain gym trainer lol. It has better hours to and I can probably work around community college too. Not a bad idea. not a bad idea.

But for now I'll just keep me current job.

[fishingkidPA]

i cut grass im 15. my dad got the word around to a high class neighborhood, 20$ an hour on my better customers. gooooood paaaay

[Grey Wolf]

Life sucks but at least you've got a job , suck it up.

[crappiekid24]

$10 an hour is a great pay for being 18 and I would say keep that job. I am 19 and got a job working 40 hours a week for my county forest preserve this summer. I have been enjoying the job but working a lot will help pay for college and hopefully will help me get a car (if I want to get one). Jobs are hard to come by right now so consider yourself lucky you have a good job, I know I do.

[dmac14]

Warehouse order picker, then truck driver for same company. The worst job I've ever had. Period.

Please tell me you used vocollect, I am currently doing the same thing, in a freezer warehouse for 8-10 hours.

It's not a crappy job but simply a slap in the face to finish out college.