The 5 best first jobs for college and high school students

Student loans, apartment rent, living expenses, and excessive spending habits leave many young people finding a desperate need for money as they venture into the real world. But without much experience or sufficient education, it’s hard to land a decent-paying job in your teens or early twenties, let alone a job you actually enjoy.

Oftentimes, the harder you work, the more money you’ll make, but balancing school and an intense job can spell disaster for both. The best jobs for young people are ones that balance work intensity and the size of your paycheck, as well as giving you ample opportunities to learn.

1. Private tutor

Despite common misconceptions, you don’t have to be smart to be a tutor. You just have to be patient and willing to help. There will always be academic subjects you’ve already mastered that others haven’t, so you always have something to teach.

People struggling in classes that they need to pass in order to graduate are the ones willing to pay for private tutoring, especially if you’ve been able to help students in the past. Commonly, parents of high school students will want private tutors for standardized tests or math classes that their child is struggling in.

If those types of things came easy to you in the past, this job has the potential to be easy as well.

Difficulty: 6/10

Money: $$$

2. Restaurant server

Being a waiter/waitress can be a popular full-time job for many people, which goes to show just how much it pays. Especially at a higher-end restaurant, tips will almost always exceed your baseline pay by a large margin.

All that’s required is that you present yourself neatly and act in a courteous manner, even under stressful situations. It will sometimes be hard dealing with pretentious customers, but that’s really a part of every job. Being a server requires a lot of hustle, and it will keep you busy and tired.

If you’re the type of person who can juggle many tasks in a single day, it is definitely worth the paycheck.

Difficulty: 9/10

Money: $$$$

3. Freelance a special skill

Has anybody ever complemented you on any of your skills?

There are so many unknown opportunities for people to monetize their skills in a freelance manner. If you’re comfortable performing an instrument, you can play at weddings, restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, or any other type of gig. You can design websites for local businesses, or help them to create a social media presence.

If you can create something unique, sell it online. All of these have been done by people I personally know in high school, so you can definitely try them out. These jobs take a lot of initiative, and they are not reliable sources of income for long periods of time, unless you are well-established (if you are, you might as well start your own business).

Difficulty: 8/10

Money: $$

4. Golf caddying

Again, this one relies on your tips, and the fact that rich people like to golf. It’s all about being genuinely nice, or at least acting it, and trying to get those old guys with plenty of retirement money to spend it tipping you.

The environment is usually tranquil, and caddying is neither physically nor mentally demanding (in most cases). There are times when you could get screwed with a $5 tip after hours of work, but those are hopefully outweighed by the $50 ones.

Difficulty: 4/10

Money: $$$

5. Retail associate

This is a comfortable option for many people. It has steady pay, an environment that isn’t too hectic (unless it’s Black Friday, in which case, have fun!), and good opportunities to gain experience and workplace connections.

The main perk about working in retail is that it tends to be less stressful than most other low-wage jobs, and you get to dress in nicer clothes. It’s also an easier job to get compared to others on the list, as there are more openings. It is a good chance to work in a strictly professional environment around many other adults.

Difficulty: 5/10

Money: $$