Summer break is more than sunshine, sleeping in, and s’mores—it’s the perfect time for teens to dip their toes into the workforce and start building money habits that last a lifetime. Whether it’s your teen’s first summer job or they’re looking to upgrade from lemonade stands to a real paycheck, finding the best summer jobs for teens that teach real-life money skills is key to financial confidence.
At White River Credit Union, we’re all about supporting our local youth on the Plateau. From teen savings accounts to financial counseling and scholarships, we’re here to ensure young people grow their bank accounts and futures.
How teens can land that first summer job
Finding the best summer jobs for teens that teach real-life money skills starts with knowing how to land one. Whether they’re applying to the neighborhood coffee shop or offering lawn services around the Plateau, these simple tips can help teens stand out:
- Ask around locally: Many small businesses in Enumclaw and Buckley don’t post openings online. Encourage your teen to walk in, introduce themselves with a smile, and ask if they’re hiring. A friendly attitude and initiative go a long way here.
- Build a simple resume: Even without formal experience, teens can list volunteer work, school projects, or babysitting gigs. Help them include a few references like teachers, coaches, or family friends.
- Practice a confident introduction: Before applying, have your teen practice answering a few questions like “Why do you want to work here?” or “What are your strengths?” A little prep helps them feel more confident during interviews.
- Start small, think big: First jobs aren’t always glamorous—but every one builds real-world skills like responsibility, communication, and time management. Remind them it’s less about the paycheck and more about the progress.
- Use your community connections: Sometimes, it takes a village—and that’s exactly what WRCU is all about. Parents can ask neighbors, coworkers, or even their friendly credit union team (that’s us!) if they know of any openings.
Top five best summer jobs for teens
Finding a summer job can be more than a way to earn extra cash. It’s a crash course in budgeting, goal setting, responsibility, and even customer service. Here are some teen-friendly jobs that don’t just pay—they teach.
Pet sitting and dog walking
Flexible and fun, this job teaches teens about scheduling, customer communication, and responsibility. Bonus: It’s a great starter gig for 13–15-year-olds who may not yet be eligible for a traditional job.
- Skill-building: Time management, marketing, customer service
- Pro Tip: Encourage your teen to track earnings in a WRCU Teen Savings Account so they can visualize their progress toward summer goals.
Babysitting
Babysitting is a classic side hustle that builds communication and decision-making skills. It also teaches trustworthiness, planning, and dealing with the unexpected (diaper blowouts, anyone?).
- Skill-building: Safety, empathy, multitasking
- Tip for parents: Use babysitting earnings to open your teen’s first checking account—many jobs now pay electronically!
Yard work and landscaping
From mowing lawns to pulling weeds, outdoor work helps teens learn the value of physical labor and the importance of consistently showing up.
- Skill-building: Work ethic, negotiation, business basics
- Real-world advice: Help your teen price services and budget for gas, tools, or snacks using a debit card linked to their WRCU teen account.
Camp counselor or assistant
Local summer camps often hire teens as junior counselors. These jobs help build leadership, teamwork, and beef up a resume or college application.
- Skill-building: Leadership, teamwork, public speaking
- Local tip: WRCU’s LKO Scholarship values involvement like this when selecting high school recipients.
Retail or food service
Working a register, managing a line, or prepping food isn’t easy, but it’s incredibly educational. These jobs teach patience, professionalism, and financial awareness through earned wages and taxes.
- Skill-building: Customer service, budgeting, taxes
- Life lesson: Pay stubs open the door to understanding gross vs. net income—and how to save before spending.
Help teens build real-life money skills that stick
Statistics show that teen job growth has been on the rise over the past decade, mainly due to the significantly higher earnings compared to previous years. The paycheck is just part of the picture. To truly teach real-life money skills, teens need guidance and tools they can use for the long haul. That’s where White River Credit Union steps in.
Open a White River Credit Union Teen Account
Starting at age 13, teens can open their very own Teen Account at WRCU, complete with:
- A savings account to build healthy saving habits
- A checking account and debit card (with parental oversight)
- Easy-to-use mobile banking for on-the-go access
- Helpful alerts through MyCardRules for smart spending controls
This is more than just a bank account—it’s their first step toward financial independence, with a friendly local team cheering them on.
Access free financial counseling
Money can be complicated, even for grown-ups. That’s why WRCU offers access to free Financial Wellness Consultants for members of all ages, including teens and families. Whether setting savings goals, building a first budget, or figuring out how to plan for college, our certified counselors are here to help.
Want to schedule a session? Access our free financial counseling with our Finances Simplified program here.
Apply for the LKO Scholarship
Hard work should be rewarded, and that’s exactly why we created the Linda Kleppe-Olsen Scholarship. Available to graduating seniors from the Plateau, this scholarship honors a former team member and celebrates academic achievement, volunteerism, and community spirit.
Pro tip: Teens who have held a summer job or demonstrated financial responsibility (like managing their own savings account!) often stand out on scholarship applications.
Start earning and start learning
The best summer jobs for teens that teach real-life money skills are about more than just making a few bucks—they’re about building a foundation for the future. Whether mowing lawns, babysitting, or swiping cards at the register, teens who work during summer break develop confidence, independence, and a sense of ownership over their financial choices.
And with a WRCU Teen Savings Account, they have the tools and support to make the most of every dollar.
Live on the Plateau and ready to help your teen get started? We’re just around the corner on Garrett Street and here to help them grow.
