Is it even worth the effort to apply for jobs?

Jobs that I’ve had that were very part time include flower delivery and a job I have now with a company that specializes in moving old people’s stuff into assisted living. I’d check Craigslist’s job classifieds, too, since they generally are filled with part time gigs.

You can also file for unemployment, but that probably means you’ll have to spend some time every week looking for a job.

It does seem like you really really don’t want to take up your dad on his offer.

One day a week is tough. I don’t think no experience is a big deal for watching kids as long as your references chack out, but even that only one day a week is probably hard to find. If therecare a lot of Jewish people in Your area there is a chance some businesses need Friday night and Saturday help.

Also, places like movie theatres or restaurants might need Friday help.

I think that if I were in your situation, and needed the money, I would take the job with your father and concentrate on finishing your degree. You might want to ask around your department to see if there are any volunteer/internship opportunities that could lead to employment after you graduate, both through adding experience for your resume and through networking.

I don’t know what you’re studying, but do any of the profs in the department need a research assistant? That kind of work can often be done on your own time, and would lead to a great reference, as well as honing your own skills.

Casual driving for a auto dealership or car rental agency, Most require you be 25 or older, insurance regulations.
Merchandizing ( stock shelves at large stores ) for food distributors.

@serenade I applied for unemployment, but I don’t know much about it. I applied online yesterday, so I guess I’m just waiting to hear back. Is it based on your income at your last job? If so, I won’t be getting anything. Even though I was employed at the bank, I only made about $1500 last year because I didn’t work one semester and only worked 5 hours/week for the last few months.

@JLeslie Unfortunately, we don’t have any small shops in my area at all. I was thinking of gas stations, but like you said, finding anything for one day a week will be difficult. Plus, I doubt my husband would like the idea of me working deep into the night in a gas station by myself.

@glacial That’s probably what I’ll end up doing. I’m actually doing my second internship now in my field of study. I have experience in that, but Criminal Justice jobs don’t typically hire for one day per week either. I’d love to be a research assistant, though, even just for the experience. I’m not sure how I’d go about finding a gig like that, though.

@Tropical_Willie I’m only 23, and my driving record isn’t horrible but it’s not perfect either.

@Everyone Thanks for all the ideas so far! Money will definitely be tight for the next 5 months or so, but if I can keep my 4.0 GPA, I’ll be one happy girl. :)

Pizza delivery. I hear that if you’re a girl you always get bigger tips. Do you own a car?

@livelaughlove21 I would just tell everyone I know my situation and see if something comes up word of mouth. Also, do you have a temp agency where you live? Manpower or Randstad? They might have some assignments for you. Worth signing up with them probably, you can tell them your situation and see what they say.

@livelaughlove21 I would just visit profs in their offices and ask. It might be that they could use the help and hadn’t even got around to looking for someone. It’s also a good way to connect with people you haven’t interacted with before, even if it doesn’t directly lead to a job. They’ll remember that you took the initiative, if your name ever comes up.

Are there any job openings on campus? I know where I went to school the on-campus jobs were usually scheduled around the hours you are in class.

It’s worth it, you’ll get something in the end. I was made redundant and it took me 2 years to find something else. It’s very deflating I know, but you will find something, eventually.

@SuperMouse From the original question:

I checked for on-campus jobs, but they require nights and weekends, at least 3 days per week of work, and only pay $7.25/hr.

:)

@livelaughlove21 is it a tiny campus?

Why don’t you look around for part-time jobs that are in the field you ultimately want to go into? That would serve two purposes – get you the income you need and get you specific experience on your resume that makes you more marketable after you graduate.

Get your resume together and really call out the skills your good at – especially if you’re strong with data, computers or producing documents. Then – send out you resume to companies you’d like to work for that advertise part time work and/or paid internships. Cross the bride of working the hours you want when/if you get an interview.

Try that and then, Judi’s idea is perfect. If you can find a food delivery gig, you could make enough to cover your bills.

Perhaps take the job with your dad then put your name down at a temp agency. Tell them you can only cover fridays. I think you are quite fortunate to have been offered a job at least for now. Even if it is your own father.

House cleaning

@Judi I do. That’s a good idea. Not sure if they’ll hire someone with such an inflexible schedule, but it’s worth a shot.

@JLeslie I’ve considered going to a temp agency or two, yes. I have two weeks off in August before classes start. I was planning on working full time at the bank, but since that’s obviously not going to happen, I’ll have time to sit for hours at a temp agency. But, if they can help, it’ll be worth it.

@SuperMouse No, it’s the University of South Carolina. The website is pretty great and lists all of the places on-campus that hire part-time. The ones actually hiring have a minimum hour requirement that must be met. I can’t work 20 hours per week. If I could, I’d get a job off campus making more than minimum wage.

@figbash I’d love to get a part-time job in my field of study, but that’s Criminal Justice. There isn’t much in that field that I could do right now. Not around here, anyways. This is why I had to stop working the past two summers so I could do my internships at probation and parole. Security jobs are few and far between (I’ve looked) and they’d probably take one look at me and laugh.

@LornaLove I’m sure that’s what I’ll end up doing. Yes, I am lucky to have some money to fall back on, even if it’s cleaning nasty refrigerators.

@bkcunningham I briefly considered that, as well. However, it seems everyone in my town does that and has their own clientele. CraigsList is filled with ads offering cleaning services.

@Everyone I think it’ll just come down to whatever a temp service can give me, working with my dad when I have nothing else, and perhaps a babysitting job here and there for my husband’s uncle (three kids under 10, yikes!). I’ll look into the other ideas here, though!

@livelaughlove21 I never sat for hours at a temp agency. You can call up, make an appointment. They will talk to you for a few minutes and then have you take tests to evlute your proficiency for Microsoft Office, Notes, typing soeed, or whatever it is you tel them you are proficient at. You do need to block a good two hours probably, but you shouldn’t wind up just sitting around.

@livelaughlove21 I did Pizza Delivery for almost a year in college, it’s probably the most you can get out of your time without working at a bar, It can be dangerous though. My store was robbed at least twice, I just so happened to be off those days. Then again, The bank I worked at also was robbed while I was gone.

Weekends and friday nights are the busiest for restaurants and offers the biggest tips. Many of their workers tend to be college kids who are busy Monday thru Fridays. Try that. The most they can say is no thanks.

Check out Care.com. You can customize your profile with what days and times you’re available to babysit and you’ll get matched up with families whose needs fit your schedule (and vice-versa). Good luck!!

Negotiate with your dad. Ask for more responsibility and more pay, or come up with a position for yourself. Concentrate on how you’re going to help him and his business (as opposed to how he can help you out) and come up with some ideas for the issues you hear cause him the most pain. What does he complain about? A new, motivated set of eyes can come up with new ideas.

You’re going to have lots of opportunities to have that same type of conversation in the future and the experience will make you more at some point than you’ll make all summer. You might as well start with family that will give you some feedback.