What Summer Jobs Can Lead to a Career? 13 Options Worth Considering

Summer is considered a period of change. Similar to the New Year, when the summer holidays hit, we start contemplating what we want to do with our lives — especially if we’ve just finished a college or university course.

Did you know that some of the jobs many of us take on during the summer period have the potential to turn into something more?

All of the following are ideal for those looking for a summer change whilst you transition between courses or are waiting to continue onto the next stage of your education. With a little creativity and additional learning on your part, they could be turned into great long-term careers.

Table of Contents

• Can A Retail Job Lead To A Career?
• What Jobs Can Students Do Abroad To Earn Money?
• How Much Do Tv And Film Extras Get Paid In The Uk?
• Can Working At A Festival Lead To An Event Management Career?
• Is Temping A Good Way To Find A Career?
• What Jobs Can You Get Working For Your University?
• Can Pet Sitting Turn Into A Career?
• How Do I Become A Babysitter With The Right Qualifications?
• Is Private Tutoring A Good Summer Job For Students?
• Can Labouring Work Lead To A Career In Construction?
• How Do I Get A Paid Summer Internship In The Uk?
• How Can Students Make Money Online?
• How Do I Start A Business As A Student?

Can A Retail Job Lead To A Career?

Easily one of the most sought-after jobs amongst studying students, there are always part-time roles that you can flexibly fit around your study and social commitments.

The question is – which one do you want to explore? Whether that’s a supermarket, a high-street chain, or an independent store, each comes with its own set of experiences and skills.

Another thing to remember is that retail isn’t all about clothing and food. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in publishing, for instance, then applying to work in a local bookstore could prove beneficial — you’ll get to witness and partake in the organisation of author events.

Likewise, if you fancy one day becoming a chef or running your own restaurant, then getting a job in the kitchen could prove just as helpful to your future career.

Keen to get ahead? Our Retail Studies course can give you a solid grounding whether you’re just starting out or looking to turn a summer job into something more.

What Jobs Can Students Do Abroad To Earn Money?

From working as an au pair for a family to teaching English as a foreign language, to working as a holiday rep — all of these jobs would allow you to earn money as you travel.

• Au pair – if you’re considering a career in childcare, then working as a live-in nanny may be up your street. Before applying, we recommend adding an online childcare course to your arsenal (if you haven’t got any childcare qualifications on your CV already) as this will increase your odds of getting the job. Being first aid trained will also make your application more appealing.
• Teaching English as a foreign language – if you’re already training to be a teacher or are considering a career in this field, simply having a degree would allow you to teach English as a Foreign Language in another country — yes, even without a formal teaching qualification. This can be a great learning experience, as you’ll get to test how you react within a teaching environment. If you discover a natural affinity for it, you can apply for an online teaching assistant course or explore the routes to gaining Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) — including the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), which is one of the most popular pathways.
• Holiday rep – possibly the most popular working abroad job amongst students, holiday reps perform a multitude of roles. From leading children and family-focused activities such as evening entertainment, sports and pool activities, and holiday clubs, to assisting families and couples with tours and daily outings to local venues — you’ll be called upon to help in a variety of ways.

Knowing additional languages is a bonus here. If you’re in the process of completing an online French course or are studying geography at university, you’d have an edge against the competition.

How Much Do Tv And Film Extras Get Paid In The UK?

TV shows and films are constantly looking for people to fill the backgrounds of scenes — and this would require a bit of research on your part to find out where castings are taking place.

The hours are usually pretty flexible, and background extras typically earn around £125 per day on TV and film productions, rising to £250 or more for walk-on roles. The more actively you’re used in a scene, the more you could earn.

Bear in mind that most casting agencies deduct a commission of around 15–20%, so it’s worth factoring this in when weighing up the opportunity.

A great extras job is being an injured or ill patient in a hospital scene — you’ll even get to wear prosthetics.

If working in the media industry appeals to you long-term, take a look at our Media Studies Level 3 course to build on that experience.

Can Working At A Festival Lead To An Event Management Career?

With summer comes the anticipation of great weather, so it’s no surprise that there are usually a lot more festivals and events taking place during the summer months.

If you aspire to work in event management, or want the opportunity to prove your organisational skills, then applying to work at a music or food festival could help you get the experience you need to apply for future event management roles.

One thing to be aware of: many music festival organisers turn to volunteers first — with the promise of a free ticket — before they start paying for help. So there won’t always be a lot of money involved.

However, if you’re more interested in bolstering your event management skills and experience before applying for a formal event management course, these are a great place to start. Typical tasks include giving out wristbands, selling programmes, and cleaning up litter.

Ready to take it further? Our Event Management Level 3 course could be your next step.

Is Temping A Good Way To Find A Career?

You’d be surprised by how many people discover a passion for a career through pure chance. Temping is one of those opportunities where you get to explore a variety of industry niches and experiment with different roles.

From traditional office roles, admin positions, and customer services posts, to working as a receptionist in a hotel, hospital, or veterinary clinic — the idea behind temping is that you’ll temporarily cover a role and then move on, acquiring a variety of different experiences along the way.

While you’re acting in a supporting role, you may also have the opportunity to shadow or witness a job that you’d never previously considered for yourself.

What Jobs Can You Get Working For Your University?

Working for your university not only allows you to stay local and work during term time — there are also plenty of varied job opportunities to explore.

Accommodation, admin, events, libraries… many universities create dedicated roles where current students can utilise their social media, writing, photography, and marketing skills to assist the university and gain valuable work experience in the process.

Can Pet Sitting Turn Into A Career?

Summer spells family holidays and getaways, so getting a job pet sitting or dog walking will be incredibly easy to come by.

Add an animal care qualification to your CV and you’ll have no problem gaining useful experience while spending time with an assortment of cute and cuddly animals.

Pet owners will want to know their pets are in safe hands, so being able to demonstrate relevant qualifications will make you a popular choice. Our Dog Groomer Level 3 course is a great way to formalise your skills and stand out from the crowd.

How Do I Become A Babysitter With The Right Qualifications?

Similar to pet sitting, summer is also a great chance to boost your childcare experience — you’ll encounter plenty of couples and families looking for a reliable babysitter for a night out.

Before you start, we suggest updating your first aid skills and obtaining a DBS check. Being able to demonstrate existing childcare qualifications will also go a long way towards putting parents at ease. Our NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Preparing to Work in Home-Based Childcare is the ideal qualification to have on your CV.

Is Private Tutoring A Good Summer Job For Students?

Summer can still be a time for learning for many students, so if you’re considering a career in teaching, working as a private tutor can give you valuable hands-on experience — and not just during the summer holidays.

Private tutoring also affords you the flexibility of managing your own hours, while allowing you to specialise in a particular subject area. Either way, it’s a strong addition to any CV.

Can Labouring Work Lead To A Career In Construction?

This is one of those summer jobs you may not take seriously at first — but it could open your eyes to a career you’ve never contemplated before.

There are several different roles and industries to consider: construction, events, roofing, window installation — anything that falls under manual labour could come your way.

This is particularly useful if you’re currently unsure what you want to do. These roles will give you a real feel for the work while also showing you what an apprenticeship in that field might look like.

How Do I Get A Paid Summer Internship In The Uk?

Compared to some of the others on this list, this is probably one of the hardest to secure — not all businesses offer paid internships, making the competition incredibly fierce.

A great starting point is checking what businesses are promoting internships at your college or university. You can also try independently reaching out to companies through their website or via email to ask whether they offer placements.

Get your foot in the door and it could lead to a graduate job further down the line.

How Can Students Make Money Online?

There are numerous ways to make money online — and if you have an interest in media or marketing, you can put those skills to work straight away.

One of the most accessible routes is starting a website and working as an affiliate marketer. In this role, you’d use your website, blog posts, newsletters, and social media to direct prospective customers to a product or service. If they make a purchase, the business pays you a commission.

Alternatively, you could try:

• Blogging and recommending products
• Completing paid online surveys
• Freelancing as a writer, social media manager, or web designer
• Starting a YouTube channel

If you want to turn these skills into a proper career, our Digital Marketing for Business Level 3 course will give you the knowledge to do exactly that.

How Do I Start A Business As A Student?

Summer is an ideal time to take a business idea and see if you can turn it into a career. Platforms like Etsy, TikTok Shop, and Instagram have proven invaluable for independent small businesses — enabling people to promote their products, services, and work to a huge audience.

This is particularly worthwhile if you have a hobby you’d love to share with others. The key to making it work is creating a credible business plan and ensuring you have the funding in place.

Before you jump in, consider doing your research or undertaking a business management course to give yourself a stronger foundation. Our Business Start-Up Diploma Level 3 covers everything from writing a business plan to understanding your market — well worth exploring before you launch.

Conclusion

See what we mean? A lot of these summer jobs don’t have to stay in the summer. With the right qualifications and insights, you could take this seasonal work and use it to solidify your long-term career plans.

So if you’re interested in making a change, or looking for ways to transition to the next stage of your career, why not give some of these a try?

For more information on online courses, or how to bolster your skills while you work, check out our website today.