At 17, teens are on the brink of adulthood and looking forward to new opportunities, both educational and professional. Taking up a part-time job can be a great way to gain work experience, earn some extra cash, and build a strong college application. In this guide, we’ll explore great part-time jobs for 17-year-olds, how some of these jobs can enhance your college applications, and tips for finding and securing a job.
Also, we’ll dive into how kids can earn money using the Modak app and how they can use their Visa® debit card1, designed for kids and teens, to receive payments for jobs or allowances without any monthly subscription fees4.
Working at 17 can be incredibly beneficial. Here are a few reasons why teens should consider getting a part-time job at this age:
Retail jobs are popular among 17-year-olds. Working in a store can help develop customer service skills and provide experience handling money and transactions. Teens can work as cashiers, stock clerks, or sales associates. Retail jobs often offer flexible hours and can be a great way to meet new people and learn how to handle various customer service scenarios.
Retail jobs offer the opportunity to interact with customers and learn how to manage cash transactions. This experience can be particularly valuable for teens interested in pursuing careers in business or finance. Additionally, retail jobs often come with employee discounts, which can be a nice perk.
Restaurants, cafes, and fast-food outlets often hire 17-year-olds. Positions like cashier, server, or kitchen staff can teach valuable lessons in teamwork and multitasking. Food service jobs can be fast-paced and demanding, but they also provide an opportunity to earn tips, which can significantly increase earnings. Working in food service helps develop excellent communication and customer service skills.
Food service jobs also offer flexible hours, which is ideal for students balancing schoolwork and extracurricular activities. Teens learn how to work under pressure, handle customer complaints, and manage their time effectively. These skills are transferrable to many other careers and can make a college application stand out.
For those who enjoy swimming and have the necessary certifications, lifeguarding at a local pool or beach is a great option. It’s a responsible job that also allows you to spend time outdoors. Lifeguards need to be vigilant and quick-thinking to ensure the safety of swimmers. This job requires a lifeguard certification, which includes training in first aid and CPR.
Lifeguarding is not only a rewarding job but also a physically active one. It teaches responsibility and leadership, as lifeguards are often in charge of large groups of people. These qualities are highly regarded by college admissions officers and can be highlighted in college essays and applications.
Summer camps frequently seek enthusiastic 17-year-olds to work as counselors. This role involves supervising and engaging with children in various activities, which can be both rewarding and fun. Camp counselors help organize games, crafts, and outdoor adventures, making it an ideal job for those who enjoy working with kids and being active. It’s also a great way to develop leadership skills.
Being a camp counselor can also help teens develop patience, creativity, and problem-solving skills. It's a job that requires a lot of energy and enthusiasm, which can be very appealing on a college application. Many colleges value applicants who have demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to work well with others.
Teens who excel in academics can offer tutoring services to younger students. Tutoring is a rewarding job that allows teens to share their knowledge and help others succeed. Tutors can provide assistance in subjects like math, science, English, or foreign languages. This job not only reinforces the tutor’s own understanding of the subject but also develops teaching and communication skills.
Tutoring can also be done online, providing flexibility in terms of work hours and location. It demonstrates a commitment to academics and a willingness to help others, both of which are attractive qualities to colleges. Additionally, tutoring can provide valuable experience for those considering careers in education.
Some companies offer internships to high school students, providing a chance to gain experience in a specific field of interest. While some internships are unpaid, the experience and connections gained can be invaluable. Internships can be found in various industries, including technology, healthcare, and marketing. They provide a glimpse into professional work environments and can enhance college applications.
Internships offer practical experience and a deeper understanding of a particular industry. They can also provide networking opportunities that may lead to future job prospects. Including an internship on a college application shows initiative and a clear interest in a specific career path, which can be very persuasive to admissions committees.
Teens with skills in areas like writing, graphic design, or programming can explore freelance opportunities. Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork offer ways to find short-term gigs that match their talents. Freelancing allows teens to build a portfolio of work and gain real-world experience in their chosen field. It also offers flexibility in terms of work hours and location.
Freelance work can demonstrate a high level of self-motivation and time management. It also provides an opportunity to build a portfolio of work that can be shown to potential employers or college admissions officers. The ability to manage one's own business at such a young age is impressive and can set a college application apart from others.
Part-time jobs offer numerous benefits that can strengthen a college application:
Holding a part-time job shows colleges that a student is responsible and capable of managing their time effectively. It demonstrates a strong work ethic, which is a quality that colleges highly value.
Part-time jobs help teens develop essential skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and customer service. These skills are not only important for college but also for future careers.
Having a job can be listed as an extracurricular activity on college applications. It shows that the student is proactive and engaged in activities outside of school, which can make their application stand out.
Working part-time can teach teens valuable financial skills such as budgeting, saving, and managing money. These skills are crucial for college students who need to manage their own finances.
Employers can provide letters of recommendation that highlight the student’s strengths, work ethic, and contributions to the workplace. These letters can be a valuable addition to a college application.
For students interested in pursuing specific fields of study, part-time jobs or internships related to that field can provide relevant experience and make their application more compelling. For example, a student interested in business might work in a retail job, while a student interested in education might work as a tutor or camp counselor.
Apart from a part-time job, you can also earn money through the Modak App. On average, you can earn up to 800 MBX(2)(3) per week, equivalent to $8 (as of June 2024), by participating in activities such as walking 5,000 steps daily or completing challenges that promote good habits and financial learning. This is a great way to supplement your income from a part-time job.
If you're ready for your children to start learning about finances and developing healthy financial habits, sign them up for Modak today. With our Visa® debit card1 designed for kids and teens, the intuitive app, and our range of educational tools and rewards, you'll equip your children with the skills to manage money responsibly. Join Modak today and start nurturing a financially savvy future for your family!
