Extension financial expert offers tips for parents to find summer jobs for teens
May 26, 2026
By Rebekah Hall
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- Seek jobs connected to your child’s interests: food service, summer camps, retail
- Ensure resumes are neat, accurate; dress for success during interviews
- In Arkansas, a child must be at least 14 to be employed in most cases
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LITTLE ROCK — For parents looking to help their teenager secure a summer job, an extension
financial expert has tips for choosing the right kind of job, smart ways to search
and tips for saving money wisely.
Laura Hendrix, extension professor of personal finance and consumer economics for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, said parents should start by considering their child’s age, interests and the hours they would be available to work.
“Does your child like to be outdoors and need a flexible work schedule? Mowing lawns for the neighbors might be a perfect fit,” Hendrix said. “Is she a pizza fanatic? Maybe a local pizza place is hiring. If your child is an animal lover, perhaps he could pet sit for families on vacation. If they’re a musician, they could give lessons. Food service, retail businesses, summer camps and parks hire young people for a variety of tasks.”
It’s important for parents to keep in mind the laws regarding child labor in Arkansas. According to the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, as of Aug. 1, 2023, child work permits — other than entertainment work permits — are no longer required in the state. But in most cases, a child must be at least 14 years old to be employed.
For more information about limitations on hours and types of work for youth, visit the Child Labor page on the Department of Labor and Licensing website.
Job search skills
Hendrix said it’s important for young people to be neat with their appearance when job hunting, even if just stopping in to an establishment to pick up a job application.
“Use clear, legible handwriting when completing job applications, and be sure to check your spelling and use accurate information,” Hendrix said. “Ask people before listing them as references.”
It can be helpful to tell family friends and other acquaintances that you are looking for a job or post it on your social media pages, Hendrix said.
“Organizations in some towns have youth employment programs, so check with local nonprofits and other programs,” Hendrix said.
Make a spending plan
“This is the perfect opportunity to discuss money management,” Hendrix said. “Guide your child in setting financial goals for the income they will earn.”
Hendrix said the basic guideline is spend, save, share: Spend no more than 80 percent of your income, set aside 10 percent for charitable giving or gifts, and save at least 10 percent.
“Always remember that it’s okay to save more,” Hendrix said. “In fact, saving may be the biggest budget category. Often, teens are saving for a big-ticket item like college or a car. Help them think about and prioritize the things they want to spend money on this summer.”
Consider volunteering
“If your child doesn’t need the income or if she can’t find the job she wants, volunteering is another option,” Hendrix said. “It can be a great way to learn about a career field.”
Similar to deciding what job to apply for, Hendrix recommended brainstorming with your child to determine what field of volunteering would be most interesting to them.
“If she’s interested in the medical field, there are often opportunities to volunteer at a hospital,” Hendrix said. “Interested in working with animals? Volunteer at a zoo or local animal shelter.”
For more help with money management, including talking to kids about money, visit the extension Personal Finance page on the Cooperative Extension Service website.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station at aaes.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 22 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media Contact:
Rebekah Hall
rkhall@uada.edu
501-671-2061