2022’s Best Places for Summer Jobs

Three Southern California cities are among the top 20 locations for summer jobs. They are Huntington Beach, Garden Grove and Glendale. Let the interviews begin.

With summer approaching and the leisure and hospitality sectors gaining 78,000 jobs in April, the personal-finance website WalletHub took an in-depth look at 2022’s Best Places for Summer Jobs

To help job seekers find the best summer employment opportunities, WalletHub compared more than 180 markets in the U.S. across 22 key metrics. The data set ranges from the median income of part-time workers to the availability of summer jobs to COVID-19 cases.
Top 20 Cities for Summer Jobs

1. Orlando, FL
2. Fort Lauderdale, FL
3. Columbia, MD
4. Scottsdale, AZ
5. Juneau, AK
6. Warwick, RI
7. Rapid City, SD
8. Portland, ME
9. Huntington Beach, CA
10. Garden Grove, CA
11. Miami, FL
12. Tampa, FL
13. Glendale, CA
14. Charleston, WV
15. Las Vegas, NV
16. St. Petersburg, FL
17. Pearl City, HI
18. Salt Lake City, UT
19. Wilmington, DE
20. Seattle, WA

Best vs. Worst

  • Newport News, Virginia, has the most part-time job openings per 1,000 people aged 16 to 24 in the labor force, 707.04, which is 33.5 times higher than in New York, the city with the fewest at 21.12.
  • Scottsdale, Arizona, has the highest median income for part-time workers (adjusted for cost of living), $28,858, which is than 3.6 times higher than in New York, the city with the lowest at $8,068.
  • South Burlington, Vermont, has the highest labor-force participation rate of people aged 16 to 24, 86.02 percent, which is 2.2 times higher than in Irvine, California, the city with the lowest at 38.30 percent.
  • Madison, Wisconsin, has the lowest unemployment rate for people aged 16 to 24, 5.15 percent, which is 5.3 times lower than in Detroit, the city with the highest at 27.54 percent.
  • Fremont, California, has the lowest share of people aged 16 to 24 living in poverty, 6.59 percent, which is nine times lower than in Burlington, Vermont, the city with the highest at 59.04 percent.

Expert Commentary

What tips do you have for a young person searching for a summer job/internship during the pandemic?

“Students seeking internships should be proactive and creative. For those with favorite or preferred organizations, send a resume and cover letter presenting their interests and what they have to contribute (e.g., skills, hours) to HR or a manager in the department of interest. Opportunities may be available or present themselves even when an internship position is not posted. Students can also indicate whether they are amenable to an unpaid internship. In today’s environment of understaffed and often under-resourced managers/departments, being able to contribute 10-20 or more hours a week of competent support can open doors to the invaluable experience and network building.”
— Marcus Stewart – Department of Management, Bentley University

“Utilize all your technical skills to be able to work virtually. Most young people are computer literate and can work remotely. Do not forget the fundamental skills of being on time for work and consistently coming to work when scheduled. Be open to being trained and learning new skills and information.”
— Claretha Hughes – Professor, University of Arkansas

What types of summer jobs/internships will best equip young people with the skills and experience they need to secure a full-time career after graduation?

“Jobs that help develop skills are the best for preparing people for career employment down the road. Focus on developing skills like customer service, oral and written communication, time management, adaptability, initiative, interpersonal, and teamwork. ‘People skills’ involve the ability to relate to others, and interact with co-workers, managers, and customers/clients. Building relationships where you can identify the wants and needs of others while also recognizing and acknowledging the value of different perspectives is key. Learning to prioritize tasks in a busy and dynamic environment is also critical, as it demonstrates that you can organize your time and produce results on your own.”
— Christian E. Hardigree, J.D. – Dean, School of Hospitality, Metropolitan State University of Denver

“I would say internships that allow for opportunities to learn and develop multiple skills. Not only just, say, technical skills (those are important!) but also opportunities to develop interpersonal/communication skills, writing skills, and problem-solving skills. Employers want well-rounded employees who can think on their feet and adapt to ever-changing work environments. Internships that offer challenges to develop a wide array of skill sets are the most beneficial ones.”
— Christopher Zirkle – Associate Professor, Ohio State University

What are the most common mistakes young people make when taking a summer job/internship?

“The most common mistake is apathy. If the job is not important to you – that will come across in how you perform the work. Never underestimate the value of the summer job – these can be serious career builders, and great opportunities to find a mentor who will help develop your skills for the future. When you step into the workplace, you commence on the journey of building your personal brand – are you reliable, are you conscientious, do you take initiative to solve problems, can you get along with others? Alternatively – are you constantly late, do you go “missing” in the middle of your shift, do you gossip or cause drama, are you there to do your job, and only that? Those descriptions highlight how your personal brand impacts your successive career steps.”
— Christian E. Hardigree, J.D. – Dean, School of Hospitality, Metropolitan State University of Denver

“They do not use the job to develop their skills. They are not as dedicated because they do not see it as a long-term opportunity. They must give each assignment on the job as much attention as needed and do the best they can to complete the job as required. They must ask follow-up questions of their supervisor before completing the task if they are uncertain about a task.”
— Claretha Hughes – Professor, University of Arkansas

To view the full report and your city’s rank, click here.

 

 

Image Sources

  • Summer jobs: Shutterstock