It was cute when they were in the “I want to be a ballerina-veterinarian-astronaut” stage. Once your child is in college, I am afraid it is show time.
You need to have real conversations about their interests and what jobs might suit them. You also need to help them prepare for reality. Many of my clients support the notion that upon graduation, there is going to be a high paying job waiting for the graduate. This can happen. But does it always happen? No. Does it usually happen? No.

A great joint activity is to research together what those careers, they are pursuing, actually pay, advises Kristine Dixon, Schwab’s director of consumer education. This can easily be done by checking out the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Compensation Survey . You can get average hourly earnings for different professions.

Your student can check out typical salaries across the country with Salary.com’s Salary Wizard.
Have your student come up with a general budget with what people typically spend on shelter, food, transportation and other living expenses in your area. Then, have them compare the expenses to the salary they can expect from the major they are pursuing. Don’t forget to include their responsibility for the student loans.

Many graduates are fortunate to have a good entry level positions but they often have second jobs to help pay off the student loans. There are smart young adults that are baby sitting and getting part time jobs on Craigs List to help off set their lifestyle expectations and their salaries.

Not too much has changed over the generations except the current graduates have higher lifestyle expectations which come at a dollar and cents cost. They have a high expectation and I think it sets them up for a bigger disappointment. I want them prepared with realistic expectations. I have no doubt they will meet the challenge.

Chinese is the most widely spoken language in the world.

Approximately 867 million people speak Mandarin, and a total of 1.1 billion people speak other dialects of Chinese, according to Language Today. An article entitled “The 10 Most Influential Languages,” indicates English is spoken by 330 million people worldwide—followed by Spanish (300 million), Hindi/Urdu (250 million), and Arabic (200 million).

Already, most major U.S. universities are offering Chinese classes. Graduates with Chinese language skills can explore jobs in the following fields:

• Intelligence operations
• International business / international relations
• IT and computer technology
• National and international security
• Travel industry expert
• Translator

Summer Jobs for High School Students
That Prepares Them for College

For the Entrepreneurs

• Cleaning Services
• Yard Maintenance Service
• Car Detailing Business
• Pet Sitting Service. Summer is vacation time.
• P.C. tutor – Help adults learn how to use their computers
• Catering – Help a busy household with meals.
• Painting. Start with outside jobs.
• Errands
• Messenger and delivery services
• If your student has a talent, have them market it.

Traditional Jobs

• Have your student talk to family and friends.
• Hotels and Resorts
• Grocery Stores. This is a great place to start.
• Fast Food Restaurants.
• Is your family a member of a tennis club? Golf club? Apply.
• Park and Recreation Departments. Summer Job Programs.
• Local Government Summer Job Programs.
• Camp Counselor/C.I.T. (Counselor in Training Program)
• Take a college level course at a Community College.

Volunteer Jobs

• Local Library
• Animal Shelter or Bird Sanctuary
• Trail and Beach Clean-up
• Working at a co-op
• Providing Random Acts of Kindness to those in need.

***It is never too early to start building a resume. Every job a student has is an experience, another tool in their tool box that sets them apart from others.***

Do you have some ideas? Please share. Post any idea you have for a student who is looking for a summer activity.

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