The Best Summer Jobs for Students

So, the academic year's coming to a close. You've got nothing to do, your friends have gone home for the summer, and your student loan is starting to wear a bit thin. We've all been there. It's easy to start feeling a little lost (and a lot broke) once uni finishes for the summer, and there's nothing worse than waiting for September to roll around again. But these sunny months present the perfect opportunity for all students everywhere; it's the ideal time to get a job.

Whether you're ready to commit to a full-time role or want to ease yourself into the workforce with a part-time gig, there are plenty of summer student jobs out there for you. You just need to know where to look. At UniHomes, we're here to help guide you through the best summer jobs for students—the only thing you have to worry about is making sure your CV is up to date.

1. Bar/café/restaurant work ☕
Working in hospitality might have a reputation for being unglamorous, but we're here to tell you that this couldn't be further from the truth. The skills you learn being a barista, waiter or bartender stay with you for life and, if we're being honest, can make you more popular than usual amongst your friends—seriously, accidentally let slip that you know how to make an espresso martini and you'll never have a moment's peace again at pres.

These kinds of jobs are perfect for if you like being on your feet and feeling busy, and especially if you're good at putting on a smile—a good customer service face is essential for this line of work. You'll be dealing with a lot of people day-in and day-out, so if you're more of an introvert then you might prefer a back-of-house job as a kitchen assistant or pot washer. Either way, look out for an increased number of listings on job sites like Indeed as we head into summer and existing staff members head home.

2. Lifeguard 🛟

As our skies become sunnier and the weather gets warmer, pools around the country start to get livelier and beaches begin to be busier. It's a no-brainer that lifeguards become more in-demand during the summer months, making this the perfect side job for those with an open schedule during June, July and August—we're looking at you, students.

You need to be a qualified beach or pool lifeguard depending on which type you want to do, holding an NPLQ or NVBLQ to show that you're a competent swimmer capable of saving lives. You can often find pools to take you on and train you up if you're a strong swimmer, though, so keep your eyes peeled for open positions or check out the government's National Careers Service for more information on the routes you can take to become a lifeguard.

3. Dog walker 🐕
Sick of paying for the gym? Walking your neighbour's dog can be a great way to get your steps in this summer, all while earning you a little extra cash. 

Seriously, though, dog walking is an underrated student job all year round; the hours are short, the schedule is flexible (and tailored entirely to your availability), and you get to make some adorable new furry friends. What more could you want from a job?

Picking up dog walking gigs is easier if you know of any family friends or neighbours who are after a dog walker, but you can also check job boards and websites like Rover and Pawshake for any advertisements. It's a good idea to have a DBS certificate if you're going to be walking strangers' pets, though, as this provides proof that you're a safe and trustworthy person.

4. Festival work 🪩
Missed out on a Glastonbury ticket this year? Or maybe you left it too late to get a Leeds Fest pass or tickets to Glasgow's TRNSMT? Working at a festival is a great way to cure those festival blues, with hundreds of agencies hiring stewards, first aiders and bartenders for events like these. Some organisations like Oxfam even run volunteer schemes where you can work a few shifts at a festival in exchange for access, allowing you stay afterwards and watch the acts.

Be warned, though, as not every festival job lets you camp overnight, and you often have to make your own way to and from whatever remote field the festival is located in. Still, you can't deny that the experiences and atmosphere you'd witness while doing festival work would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience—unless you come back next year for more, that is.

5. UniHomes Brand Ambassador/Content Ambassador 💙

Sometimes, your dream student job can look like putting your TikTok knowhow to use by getting paid to create engaging videos for social media. Other times, it can look like gaining more experience as a budding writer to create written content for student audiences. Either way—whether you prefer to command a camera or the keyboard, UniHomes’ student ambassador programmes are great ways to earn money every month all while working flexibly alongside your studies.

So what does being an ambassador entail? To put it simply, it all depends on what kind of ambassador you are! Being a part of our Brand Ambassador programme means that you’ll be creating social media content to promote the UniHomes brand, using your knowledge of platforms like TikTok and Instagram to make engaging, student-oriented videos about UniHomes and student life. 

On the other hand, working as a UniHomes Content Ambassador is a little bit different; instead, you’ll be writing for the UniHomes blog to create informative content about everything you need to know about student life in your city, from the best nights out to navigating societies. 

Want to know if you’re the perfect fit? Check out our Brand Ambassador FAQs or read through our Content Ambassador FAQs to find out more!

After an Xmas job instead? Read our guide to the best Christmas jobs for students.