Outdoor Jobs:

Depending on the job, employers may be looking for people who are able to lift 50 pounds or more or do a great
deal of walking. Often, a valid driver’s license is required. For some jobs, such as lifeguarding , special certification
may be required. For construction work, familiarity with tools and experience in the type of work being performed
is often required. For some of these jobs, a high school diploma or GED is required – for others, no diploma is
required.

     Amusement/Recreation: Obviously, summer is the best – in some cases, the only – time to find work in
     amusement parks or fairs. Common jobs include ride attendants, food service workers, maintenance
     workers, ticket takers, or entertainment workers. Another seasonal opportunity, which draws workers
     from across the state, includes State Fair set-up workers, who work during the summer preparing the
     grounds. In the fall, State Fair jobs are also available.

     Parks/Recrecation.: Numerous jobs are available for people who want to work outdoors in a park or
     agricultural setting. Most openings will include lifeguards, mosquito inspectors, lawn maintenance
     workers, landscape helpers, horticultural assistants, and agricultural helpers. Also, some job
     seekers in greater Minnesota may be able to find work as park/recreation guides, park maintenance
     workers, or resort staff (indoor or outdoor).

     Construction/Labor: Construction, roofing, painting, and maintenance companies hire general
     laborers or helpers year-round, but increase staffing dramatically in the spring and summer. Wages vary
     by type of work – recent postings show wages ranging between $8.00 and $12.00 per hour for general
     laborers. Some experience may be required for these summer jobs. In some cases, certain workers are
     prohibited from working in unsafe areas, working with certain types of materials or tools, or working
     beyond a set number of hours per week.

Indoor Jobs:

In the summer, with an increased number of school-aged children in out-of-home care, the need for childcare
workers increases. Sometimes, helpers are needed to assist on field trips or at mealtimes. A valid driver’s license
and good driving record may be necessary for some childcare jobs.

Hotels, motels and restaurants also get busier in the summer, bringing many options for summer jobs for high
school students or recent graduates. In hotels or motels, housekeeping or laundry workers generally do not need
a high school diploma. In restaurants, waiters/waitresses, cooks and buspersons are in demand year-round. In
more upscale establishments, waitstaff often need prior experience. Movie theaters also increase employment
during the summer, so jobs in concessions or ticket taking are available. Pay is generally relatively low, in the
$5.00 - $7.00 per hour range.

Retail jobs are really hot (high demand) during this time of the year but cashiers, salespersons, counter/rental
clerks, and other entry-level service workers are in demand year-round. These occupations are also among the
fastest growing in Minnesota, so prospects are good year-round. Pay is generally relatively low, in the $5.50-
$8.00 per hour range for entry level workers.

Other potential summer jobs for those who prefer to work indoors include data entry or clerical jobs, secretarial
work and telemarketing. Often a good way to access these jobs is through a temporary service agency; short or
long-term postings are often a available throughout the year. For clerical workers, knowledge of word processing
software and spreadsheets is helpful and often required. Wages vary but are often in the $7.00-10.00 per hour
range.

Other: Delivery drivers, couriers and warehouse workers are also in demand throughout the year in Minnesota,
specifically in the metro area and in the suburbs. Some couriers and delivery drivers use their own vehicles – some
use company cars. In either case, a valid driver’s license and good driving record are required. Some drivers or
couriers earn an hourly wage, while others are paid based on number of deliveries. Wages listed for driver
positions are generally in the $7.00-10.00 per hour range, with warehouse worker wages being slightly higher, in
the $8.00-11.00 per hour range.

Information provided by Ed Valencia, Labor Market Analyst, Minnesota Department of Economic Security.