He began with a summer job in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

As a dishwasher in a pizza joint, he dreamed of better pizza for the people, so he finally cleared out a broom closet in his dad's pub in 1984 and sold his car and bought used restaurant equipment to prepare his dream for his dad's customers. He became a huge success. Mr. John Schnatter is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Papa John's International, home of Papa John's pizza shops with over 3,000 locations in 49 states and 29 international venues. He began as a dishwasher in a summer job.

Pizza shops hire lots of summer help, so that is a top summer job for teens and college students.

Summer Jobs for Youth from Middle School to College

The best time to begin looking for work for the summer, especially your first summer job, is in January! After that, try to sign up again right away as your job ends in August or September. Or k find out when hiring begins for next year.

Many schools have already let out for the summer by May and there are still a lot of summer jobs for teens and college students available at that time, if you know where to lool. There are also several small business opportunities that teens can pursue that will give them both an income and much valuable entrepreneurship experience.

There is a fantastic website that allows you to search for employment anywhere in the USA by zip code or state. It is called Snag-a-Job and contains a wide range of opportunities in entry level, seasonal, and part-time employment. This is the perfect place to search for a summer job in your hometown, or at your grandparents' place if you are going there for the summer. It is also full of good job resources and articles about work and education, including job search for all ages, from 14 through senior citizens.

Just be careful not to be drawn in by job ads that are really sales pitches to buy a book for $19.95 or $29.95 that lists work at home schemes or secret shopping opportunities. The real jobs in these categories advertise themselves, free to you, and the listings in the books are often out dated. I know this because I have done both of these types of jobs in the past. Thus, the real job you see in the ads is the one the advertiser has in making money by selling you a book! Don't pay to get a job.

The Top 10 Teen and College Summer Jobs.

(order may vary by location)

1. City, County, State and other government Summer Youth Programs
2. Vacation spots and seasonal tourist attractions
3. Airport concession stands and shops
4. Fast food, pizza shops, and casual dining
5. Movie Theaters
6. Childcare and Eldercare
7. Healthcare Facilities
8. Other services (Moving and packing, pool cleaning, lawn care and landscaping).
9. Construction
10. Clothing and accessory stores at the mall

SEE THE WORLD WITH EXTREME ADVENTURE JOBS

Another wonderful, fun website is Cool Works, listed above. It shows you jobs in the out of doors, in the mountains, in the water, at a ski resort, on a ranch, on a riverboat, or in any one of the wide range of other places - even overseas -- that are different from the usual job.

When we have colonies in the future on the Moon and Mars, Cool Works will probably have summer jobs there as well. If you want a true adventure and not just a usual summer job, then try Cool Works. It will be fun and a good learning experience that will kick your resume up a notch.

Safaris, Space Walks & Whale Camps

See a variety unique opportunities for jobs and adventure programs from GreatSchools.net, listed in the above links.

Outdoor Camps

For jobs at summer camps, try the link for MAIC (Midwest Association of Independent Camps) out of Chicago; or, wilderness camps from Red Cliff Ascent at the link or phone 1-888-588-HIKE(4453).

Indoor Camps

The Center of Science and Industry in Columbus and Toledo, Ohio have weekend indoor camps weekly, and there may be facilities like them in your area. Check your local telephone directories and the local libraries for lists of employers such as these. Ask the Refernce Librarian for help.

Check your local city, county, and state for programs such as the examples listed in the links below.

In addition, there are federal programs such as the following one in nearly all US states.

Washington DC: Passport to Work - Summer 2008

There is also a year-around program for youth attending school and an employment and education program for out-of-school youth. Passport-to-Work Summer 2008 gives 12,000+ DC youth from age 14 through 21 real work experience for six-weeks a job readiness training program.

Registration for this program is open to students attending college outside the Washington DC metropolitan area. The 6-week program starts at the end of June. Register online.