There’s something uniquely humbling about summer jobs as a college student. You come home thinking you’ll relax, maybe catch up on sleep, maybe find yourself — and then bam, you’re wearing a visor at 8AM getting yelled at by a 9-year-old named Brayden because his snowball is “too melty.”
Here’s a breakdown of the summer gigs I’ve done, the trauma they’ve caused, and why I’ll still probably do them again next summer. Because rent doesn’t pay itself.
1. The Food Service Job That Gave Me War Flashbacks
Job: Smoothie bar, sandwich shop, or anything involving ice, fruit, and unreasonable customers.
What I learned:
- No matter how happy someone looks when they order, they will turn into a demon if you forget their “extra shot of mango immunity blend.”
- Closing shifts are spiritual journeys. You will mop while crying to Harry Styles.
Why I said never again:
- My soul left my body the 14th time someone asked, “Is the açaí bowl gluten-free?”
- Permanent smoothie hand.
Why I’ll probably go back:
- Free snacks and discounted Red Bulls. Enough said.
- Coworker trauma bonding = lifelong friendships.
2. Door-to-Door Sales (AKA My Villain Origin Story)
Job: Selling pest control, energy plans, or some “free” upgrade that mysteriously costs $300.
What I learned:
- Nothing humbles you faster than having a door slammed in your face mid-pitch.
- Old people will listen. Everyone else will call you a scammer.
Why I said never again:
- I once got chased by a goose and a loose Chihuahua on the same day.
- Sunburn and rejection build character, but not fast enough.
Why I might go back:
- Commission checks hit different when you’re broke.
- Great practice for becoming either a public speaker or a cult leader.
3. Babysitting/Childcare: The Emotional Rollercoaster
Job: Watching kids for neighbors, camps, or cousins who “totally won’t be that bad.”
What I learned:
- Children have no filter. You will be told you look old, tired, and weird.
- “Let’s play hide and seek” = they hide, and you panic for 20 minutes thinking you lost someone else’s child.
Why I said never again:
- Play-Doh in my Air Force 1s.
- Babysat twins who only communicated in high-pitched screams.
Why I’ll consider it again:
- Easy cash.
- Parents will pay you more if you say you’re CPR certified (even if you got it from a 2017 YouTube video).
4. DoorDash/UberEats: Fast Cash, Faster Stress
Job: Delivery driving, aka “how to learn every apartment complex gate code in town.”
What I learned:
- People tip well when it’s raining, which is great unless you have anxiety and a leaky sunroof.
- Every fast food order somehow smells better when it’s not for you.
Why I said never again:
- Gas prices.
- GPS betrayal and awkward handoffs.
Why I’m definitely doing it again:
- Flexible hours and no boss watching you breathe.
- The soundtrack of your summer is whatever you blast between orders.
Final Thoughts:
Every summer I promise myself I’ll find something “chill,” like a remote internship or some kind of passive income miracle. And every summer, I end up clocking in somewhere that makes me question all my life choices. But honestly? I kind of love it. There’s something weirdly satisfying about the chaos of summer jobs — the coworkers, the late shifts, the random stories you’ll tell forever.
So here’s to the jobs we swore we’d never do again… until we open the Indeed app in a financial panic and apply anyway.
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