With a population of almost 2.7 million and numerous colleges and universities, many high school and college students will be looking for a job this summer in the Baltimore area. Luckily, there are lots of summer job opportunities for students in Baltimore and the surrounding areas, and some are actually quite fun. Here’s a look at some of the best summer jobs for high school and college students in the Baltimore area.
Lions, tigers, bears, and sharks, all in the heart of Baltimore. Maryland is home to the world renowned Baltimore Zoo as well as the The National Aquarium in Baltimore. These tourist attractions get extremely busy during the summer and are often looking for part time help. I know someone who gets to feed the dolphins at the aquarium, and the zoo is often looking for students interested in animal care.
Beat the heat at the mall. Baltimore is home to many trendy, conveniently located shopping malls, like the Harborplace/Gallery complex at the Inner Harbor, Towson Town Center, and the more suburban Mall in Columbia. There are also many smaller shopping malls in between. The mall is a great place for teenagers with little to no work experience to find a good “starter” job.
Hit the beach or ride the rides. Not far away from Baltimore are Ocean City, MD and the Eastern Shore, and these beach areas are always in need of summer workers. Also in Maryland is the Six Flags Amusement park, who hires upwards of 2,000 part- and full-time workers during the summer months. If it’s too far to drive, think about staying with a friend or family member who might live a little closer. You can hang out at the beach or ride a roller coaster in your downtime, and might have a summer you’ll never forget.
Think snowballs…in the summer! Many locals will tell you that their favorite part of summer is getting a “snowball”, a shaved ice concoction that is uniquely Maryland. Most snowball stands are only open during the summer, and are in need of help most hours of the day. Many people leave tips when they buy a snowball and I know some people who have made great money selling these summer time treats.
The fact that many of the above mentioned locations are easily accessible by Baltimore public transit is also a bonus for many young people. One of the keys to landing a great summer job is to start looking early, so start making contacts and submitting applications as soon as you know you’ll need summer employment in order to have the best chances. Don’t wait until you hear from one place to apply for another job….submit applications at many different places and wait until you get an offer you like. There’s no harm in telling an employer you’re no longer interested if more than one place contacts you. With a little time and effort, you can find a fun way to put a little cash in your pocket this summer in Baltimore.
