Should You Consider Getting a Summer Job?

Still figuring out your summer plans? Maybe you’re feeling done with school for a while and want a change of pace. Or maybe you're not sure what’s “productive enough” to do before college apps kick into high gear.

Here’s one option that doesn’t get enough credit: getting a summer job.

It might not sound as glamorous as a pre-college program or research internship—but it can be just as meaningful (and yes, just as valuable to your applications).

“Would a summer job really help my college application?”

Yes—and maybe even more than you’d think.
Colleges value students who take initiative and handle responsibility. Holding a job shows you’re reliable, hardworking, and able to manage real-world challenges—traits that don’t always show up in transcripts or test scores.

And when your application includes work experience, it signals that you’re not afraid to step up, even when it’s not required.

“What if it’s not academic?”

That’s not a drawback—it’s actually a strength.
A job gives you the kind of experience that feels real and personal. Whether you’re helping customers, tutoring kids, or working behind the scenes, you’re learning how to adapt, communicate, and lead in small but meaningful ways.

Those experiences often translate into great college essays—not because they’re flashy, but because they’re honest, reflective, and grounded in growth.

“What else could I gain from it?”

More perspective—and more independence.
When you work, you meet people with different stories, backgrounds, and goals. That kind of exposure opens your eyes, sharpens your thinking, and sometimes even shapes the kind of change you want to make in the world.

And there’s something powerful about earning your own money. Whether you’re saving, helping your family, or funding your own projects, you learn to take ownership—and that’s a confidence boost no résumé can fake.

“Are summer jobs even available right now?”

Yes—and they’re more accessible than you might expect.
As more adults shift out of certain industries, employers are hiring younger workers to fill the gaps. Wages have gone up too. Most students can expect to earn $15–20/hour, with tutoring and babysitting at the higher end.

From retail to camps to local businesses, opportunities exist—you just need to ask, follow up, and be open to learning as you go.

“What if I can’t find anything that feels impressive?”

Don’t overthink it.
You don’t need an elite title. What matters is what you learn—and how you reflect on it. This gives you real-world experiences that help shape who you are—on paper and in life.

If you’re working this summer—or doing anything that stretches you in a new way—it might be more valuable than it looks.

At Ivy Link, we help students turn real moments into meaningful applications—highlighting the growth, character, and self-awareness that admissions officers want to see. If you’re not sure how your story fits yet, that’s okay. We’ll help you find the throughline—and tell it with clarity, honesty, and purpose.