by Sara Perman

Listen to the Story!

For a teenager summer consists of long hours just lounging around outside in the sun, right? Well not completely. In a teenagers life there's always the factor of money. We spend it as fast as we can make it, but the question is "How are we making it?"

Summer work opportunities can pop up in some of the most random places Teens are finding jobs all over the place. Jobs can result from everyday chores or even fun hobbies.

"I pretty much play the harp. And so my harp teacher is letting me play at weddings and parties for her when she has mini gigs," Taylor Thompson, a freshman at West High School said.

It helps to have connections. One common way teens find employment is through their parents or people they know.

Erin Britton, a 14 year old at East High School said she is working as a hot dog vendor at the Saturday market this summer.

"My mom knows the owner who has been there for about 10 years, she and the owner go back way far. And she said she was looking for help one year, and I said I could help," Britton said. "This has been my second year working there."

Finding an employer who is interested in hiring teens is one of the hardest parts of getting a job. Many youth look to local teen hotspots to find work. Ian Olsen, a junior at West, works a few of his weeknights serving food to theater go-ers at the Beartooth Theater/Pub.

"I applied there. And I just knew everybody there, so it kind of just got me the job."

As summer approaches teens are looking for more work. Some, like Britton only work once or twice a week, while others find themselves with a full summer work schedule.

"I work, right now during school, only three days a week. Just because it is more convenient," Olsen said.

Olsen said that in the summer he will be working a much tighter schedule, 5 days a week with longer shifts.

Michael McCambridge, another freshman at West, is keeping his schedule light, only working three days a week at the rock gym during the summer. He said his hobby helped him make a good connection.

"I climb at the rock gym a lot and the guy who teaches the class that I climb with is coordinating the jobs...camps for this summer and he asked if I wanted to work and I said, 'Yes.'"

It seems jobs can be right around any corner. Olsen gives one helpful tip.

"Managers will like you if you're happy, you know. And smiling releases Seratonin into the blood system. So, even if you're sad you can smile and you'll be happy no matter what."