You need to make some money, but the manager at your local burger hut is a notorious pain. Can you really earn the money you need by babysitting, cutting grass and creating your own work?
Sure you can, says Jay Lipe, principal of Minneapolis-based Emerge Marketing. A bright idea and a determined spirit will bring the dough rolling in all summer long - and beyond.
"There's never been a greater need for freelance labor," Lipe says. "With today's overworked, time-stressed workforce, adults are always looking to off-load responsibilities - and pay well for it. Responsible students can benefit."
Being your own boss begins with breaking out of the box. Workplace expert John Challenger says students may be overlooking a wealth of opportunities because of outdated perceptions.
"These perceptions - passed on by parents, teachers and guidance counselors - relegate teenagers to mind-numbing jobs like stuffing grocery bags, stocking sweater tables at department stores, and busing tables at the local diner," says Challenger, chief executive of global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas in Chicago. "Consider bypassing jobs categorized as being 'for teens' and seek higher skilled and higher paying jobs."
Challenger encourages young adults to get creative with their computer skills. He suggests, for example, going office to office offering to fill the computer void for vacationing employees. Other ideas include troubleshooting friends' and neighbors' computers, providing data entry services to small home business owners, or installing software and teaching people how to use it.
If you're not the computer geek type, then maybe babysitting, chore running, creating scrap books, or odd jobs make more sense. Survey your neighborhood to understand the needs of the people. Are there elderly folks? Companion care may be your ticket to income. Lots of American pie families? A lawn mowing team, dog walking collaborative or summer daycare business can bring in the big bucks.
"Find your passion and what you do best and follow that passion," suggests Frances McGukin, author of "Business for Beginners." "Learn everything you can about your interest and don't listen to the naysayers. Believe in yourself and then read, learn and understand basic business principles."
Basic business principles are a must - especially marketing. Experts suggest posting flyers in local coffee shops, company break rooms, or libraries. Usually the best place to start, though, is with people you know.
"It's always easier to convince someone to hire you if they've watched you grow up and witnessed first hand your poise and development than to convince someone who doesn't know a thing about you," says Tory Johnson, author of "Women For Hire: The Ultimate Guide to Getting a Job." "The problem often comes when students are unwilling to get their hands dirty and delve into manual labor. Many would rather sit in a cool ice cream shop or enjoy the air-conditioned environment of a retail store. Being an entrepreneur means hustling and a strong willingness to overcome the urge to sleep late or be lazy."
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