Last updated September 3, 2025

In this article

• Prepare in advance
• Be aware of your options
• Network
• Know your rights and opportunities

Seasonal jobs are great opportunities for teens to earn money when they have free time from school. Whether it’s over summer break or during the holiday season, there are some key things to keep in mind to get the most out of your seasonal job. We share what teens should know about seasonal jobs! 

Prepare in advance

If you want to work over the holiday or summer breaks, be sure to apply for jobs at least one month before you want to start working. When you start applying, it will be helpful to have your resume and cover letter ready to update and customize to each job you apply for. 

Need a second opinion on your resume or cover letter? Send them to us for free review! We’ll have them back to you within a week with advice and feedback. 

Be aware of your options

Depending on the time of year, there may be an increase in hiring. For example, in the summer, many cities host Summer Youth Employment Programs, which offer entry-level summer jobs to young people at local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and city governments. There may also be openings in your area for positions such as camp counselor, lifeguard, or childcare worker. During the holidays, there are also short-term ways to earn money with holiday-specific pop-ups, such as Halloween stores or Christmas tree sales. Large retail stores are also often looking to hire short-term workers during this time. Be sure to explore options like these when starting your job search. 

Network

When starting your job search, be sure to reach out to your network to see if anyone knows of seasonal opportunities. If you’re in college, the career center can also support you in your search!

Once you land your seasonal job, your coworkers and managers will become a part of your network, too. Building professional relationships with them may lead to getting a reference for future employment, finding a mentor, or even returning to the same job season after season!

Know your rights and opportunities

Depending on your age, there may be limits to the amount of hours you can work per shift or per week, so it’s important to know your rights as an employee if you are under 16. Working on holidays can also mean making more money, since companies may offer “time and a half” pay for employees. This means that if you normally earn $20 per hour at your seasonal job, you would instead be earning up to $30 during peak days. Be sure to ask about this possibility when you’re hired.

Additionally, you will need to track your earnings for tax purposes, depending on how much you make in a given year. Your paycheck will deduct taxes from your overall pay each pay period, but when filing your taxes (if needed), you may be owed a refund. Talk to an educator or trusted adult if you are unsure about whether you will need to file taxes.  

Learn more about managing your money wisely!

Do you have any questions about finding a seasonal job as a teen? Connect with a Get Schooled Advisor.

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Last updated June 18, 2026

In this article

• Summer Youth Employment Programs
• Ask your network
• CareerOneStop centers
• Start a side hustle

Summer is a great time to find a job or internship that can help you gain experience, build your professional network, and earn money. We’ll share five ways to find a summer job!

Summer Youth Employment Programs

Many cities offer Summer Youth Employment Programs that provide paid work experience to young people between the ages of 14 and 24. Contact your mayor’s office to see what opportunities are available or search “summer youth employment program near me” online to get started! These programs often include paid job readiness training alongside actual paid work. These are amazing, structured programs that are built for students like you!

Ask your network

Since not all jobs will be posted online, be sure to tap into your network when looking for a summer job. Talk to your friends, family members, teachers, and community members to see if they know of any jobs or internships!

CareerOneStop centers

There are nearly 2,400 CareerOneStop centers nationwide that help people search for jobs, find training, and answer employment-related questions for free. Like Summer Youth Employment Programs, CareerOneStop will also likely have programs specifically for teens and young adults that include paid training and work. Find a CareerOneStop center near you! 

Start a side hustle

If finding a job or internship doesn’t work for you, there’s always an option to start a side hustle! When you have a side hustle, you can make your own schedule, work when you want to, and do something you’re passionate about. Not sure where to start? Check out our list of 12 side hustle websites you can join to begin earning! Entrepreneurship is a great skill to highlight on your resume, so be sure to include any side hustles when updating it or applying to jobs in the future.

Do you have any questions or need support in your job search? Connect with a Get Schooled Advisor.

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Last updated March 2, 2026

In this article

• What Are Summer Youth Employment Programs (SYEPs)? Why should I join one?
• How old do I have to be to participate in an SYEP?
• What do I need to apply to an SYEP?
• What else should I know before I apply?
• What Teens Need to Know About Taxes
• How do I find an SYEP near me?
• SYEPs across the country

Looking for a way to make money, grow your professional network, and give back to your community this summer? A Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) may be a good fit for you! Here’s what you need to know about SYEPs– what they are, how to find them in your area, and more! 

What Are Summer Youth Employment Programs (SYEPs)? Why should I join one?

SYEPs offer entry-level summer jobs to young people at local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and city governments. In addition to gaining work experience, many programs offer job readiness workshops that offer helpful career tips and advice, mentorship opportunities, resume help, and support preparing for job interviews.

How old do I have to be to participate in an SYEP?

While each city and state has their own age requirements, the typical age range for SYEPs is 14-24 years old. Be sure to look up your city or county’s program to learn more about their specific age requirements.

What do I need to apply to an SYEP?

Each program will have different application requirements, but may ask for some or all of the following: 

• Full name
• Age
• Email address
• Phone number
• Household size and income
• Social Security number
• Birth certificate
• Doctor’s note

A note to undocumented youth applying to an SYEP

If you are an undocumented young adult, you may be eligible to participate in an SYEP. Every SYEP will have a different set of eligibility requirements and some programs do have positions available for undocumented youth. Be sure to speak with a representative at your local SYEP to learn what options are available to you.

What else should I know before I apply?

• SYEPs are popular and spots fill up fast, so be sure to submit your application as soon as possible. Some programs close their applications early if they receive enough before the deadline.
• Make sure you read the application instructions and eligibility requirements thoroughly and that you have all of the required information before starting your application.
• Remember to check your email regularly after applying so you don’t miss any important deadlines or next steps.

 

What Teens Need to Know About Taxes

Most Summer Youth Employment Programs are paid positions, and participants are typically paid hourly based on local minimum wage laws. Since you are considered an employee, you may need to complete tax forms before you start working. At the end of the year, you will likely receive a W-2 form that shows how much money you earned and how much was withheld for taxes. This form is important when filing your taxes. To learn more about what teens should know about taxes check out our article.

How do I find an SYEP near me?

Many programs may go by a different name other than SYEP. Here are a few tips for finding a program near you:

• Reach out to your school. Ask your guidance counselor, teacher, or administrator for information about summer opportunities available in your community.
• Check out your local library. Many libraries have teen/young adult programming departments that can assist you with finding your local SYEP.
• Conduct a Google search. Find your local SYEP by searching on Google. Here are a few keywords to help make your search easier:

1. Summer Youth Employment Programs, [insert name of your city]
2. Summer jobs program, [insert name of your city]
3. 2026 summer youth employment, [insert name of your city]
4. SYEP 2026, [insert name of city]

Many cities have more than one SYEP, so as you do your research, make note of all the programs you learn about.

SYEPs across the country

Listed below are direct links to a few of the larger SYEP programs. Make sure you’re aware of deadlines before you start applying:

• Detroit: Grow Detroit’s Young Talent
• Houston: Hire Houston Youth
• Los Angeles County: Youth@Work
• Miami-Dade County: Summer Youth Internship Program
• New York City: Summer Youth Employment Program
• Philadelphia: WorkReady Summer
• Portland: SummerWorks
• Seattle: Youth Employment Program

Do you have any questions about finding an SYEP near you? Connect with a Get Schooled Advisor.

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Last updated March 3, 2026

In this article

• Amazon
• Best Buy
• Dick's Sporting Goods
• FedEx
• Gap Inc.
• Kohl's
• Target
• UPS
• United States Postal Service (USPS)
• Walmart

Companies hire year-round, but sometimes increase their hiring during the holiday season. To help you find your next seasonal job, we’ve made a list of some large companies that may be hiring in your area during the holiday months!

Amazon

Amazon is always hiring across the country. They have roles in retail, warehouses, and customer service. If you are looking for a flexible schedule, fast-paced working environment, and competitive wage, check out their list of opportunities to find a position near you. As of 2025, average pay for warehouse and transportation roles is more than $23 per hour. Depending on your job and how long you stay, you may also be able to access tuition reimbursement for college.

Best Buy

Best Buy is hiring part-time and full-time seasonal employees in their stores, distribution centers, and even for their Geek Squad! Some of their customer service positions (such as cashiers and customer experience specialists) are available to people who are 16 and older, but other positions may require you to be at least 18.

Dick’s Sporting Goods

Dick’s Sporting Goods is hiring for positions in their warehouses and stores across the country. They offer flexible schedules and a 25% discount to employees! 

FedEx

FedEx has a list of openings available for seasonal and permanent positions. FedEx operates many businesses—like shipping and receiving, warehouses, and retail shops for printing—so there are many options to choose from. Starting pay is often $15/hour or more depending on the location and role, and you must be 18 or older to apply. If you have an interest in customer service or supply chain management, below are a few jobs at FedEx you should look into: 

• Retail Customer Service Associate
• Package Recovery Agent
• Package handler
• Warehouse Worker

Gap Inc.

Gap Inc., the parent company of Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic, is hiring for positions in their stores, distribution centers, and customer service centers. The application takes less than three minutes to complete. Seasonal employees will receive perks, such as:

• A 50% discount off all of their brands and a 30% discount at outlet stores
• Competitive pay
• Wellness benefits

Kohl’s

Kohl’s is hiring seasonal employees across the country for positions in stores and warehouses. Employees at Kohl’s get paid weekly and can receive a 15-35% store discount and specific discounts with partner companies. Be sure to sign up for their hiring newsletter to stay in the know! 

Target

From customer service roles to online order fulfillment, Target hires for seasonal roles. Specifically, they’re looking for part-time workers. Target’s hourly wage typically ranges from $15 to $24 depending on the role and location. In addition to competitive pay, seasonal employees will receive:

• A 10% employee discount (plus an extra 20% discount on wellness items)
• Flexible scheduling
• Free mental health support
• Free virtual doctor visits

UPS

UPS has nearly 5,000+ seasonal warehouse, customer service, and package handler jobs to fill. If you are 17 and older, you can work as a package handler and customer service representative. If you are 21 years old and have a driver’s license, you can apply to be a delivery driver. In addition to seasonal roles, there are permanent ones as well. You can also sign up to receive email alerts for jobs in your area.

United States Postal Service (USPS)

The United States Postal Service hires full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees. Common entry-level roles include processing clerks and distribution associates.

Walmart

Walmart is almost always hiring. They own Sam’s Club as well, so be sure to look at their jobs this holiday season, too! Pay varies by location and role, but many positions offer near or above $20/hour. As the holidays get closer, Walmart will often also have incentives to join their team. Additionally, there may be an opportunity to convert to a permanent employee at the end of the holiday season.

Do you have any questions about finding a seasonal job in 2025? Connect with a Get Schooled Advisor.

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