Student Employment Opportunities

Student Employment Opportunities: Summer & Part-Time Jobs in Philadelphia

Looking for a summer or part-time job? Working during high school is a great way to earn money, gain valuable skills, and build your resume. Whether you’re interested in retail, hospitality, recreation, or internships, Philadelphia offers many opportunities for teens.

Getting Started: Work Permits & Preparation

  • Work Permits: Franklin Towne’s main office assists students in obtaining Pennsylvania work permits, which are required for minors under 18 before starting most jobs. Stop by the office or contact your counselor for help.
  • Resume & Interview Tips: Prepare a simple resume listing your skills, experiences, and references. Practice common interview questions and dress neatly for in-person or virtual interviews.
  • Job Search: Use online job boards, visit local businesses, attend job fairs, and network with family and friends. Check back here regularly for new postings and opportunities.

Build Your Resume with Naviance Student

All Franklin Towne students have access to the resume-building tool on Naviance Student, an online platform designed to help you plan for college and careers. Through Naviance, you can create, organize, and update your resume easily—all in one place.

What is the Naviance Resume Tool?

It’s a user-friendly feature that guides you through adding your education, extracurricular activities, work experience, skills, and achievements. You can build a professional resume that highlights your strengths and experiences, which is useful for job applications, internships, scholarships, and college admissions.

Quick Tips to Build Your Resume on Naviance:

  • Start Early: Begin adding activities, volunteer work, awards, and jobs as soon as you can to keep your resume current.
  • Be Specific: Use clear, action-oriented language (e.g., “Led a team of 5 in organizing a community fundraiser”) to describe your experiences.
  • Keep it Relevant: Focus on experiences that showcase your skills and qualities related to the opportunities you’re pursuing.
  • Proofread: Check for spelling and grammar errors before finalizing your resume.
  • Download & Save: Once your resume is complete, you can download it as a PDF or Word document to print or attach to applications.

How to Access and Download Your Resume:

  1. Log in to your Naviance Student account.
  2. Navigate to the About Me tab and select Resume.
  3. Use the step-by-step prompts to add or edit sections.
  4. When finished, click Download PDF or Print to save a copy for your records.

If you need help or want feedback on your resume, reach out to your school counselor—they’re here to support you!

 

Youth Employment Support: Help Is Available!

DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR JOB ACQUISITION AND CAREER PLANNING SUPPORT WITH A YOUTH NAVIGATOR UNTIL YOU ARE 24 YEARS OLD?!?!?

Whether you're looking for a summer job, part-time work, or a full-time career, a Youth Navigator can assist you with:

  • Finding job openings
  • Career planning and goal setting
  • Resume building and interview preparation
  • Connecting to training and education programs

Learn more and get connected here:
PA CareerLink for Students & Youth

 

Large Employers Hiring Teens in Philadelphia

Retail & Malls

  • Start your search close to your home, and look at area malls, shopping centers and strip malls.
  • King of Prussia Mall and Cherry Hill Mall — If you have transportation, these are busy regional malls. Retail stores, food courts, and customer service positions often hire teens for seasonal and part-time work. Check individual store websites (e.g., Macy’s, American Eagle, H&M) for openings.
  • Walmart, Target, and local grocery stores — Positions include cashier, stock clerk, and customer service roles.

Food Service & Hospitality

  • Rita’s Italian Ice — Seasonal and part-time positions; job fairs held regularly.
  • Nifty Fifty’s — Takeout and kitchen staff positions with benefits like flexible schedules and college book reimbursement.
  • Local restaurants and catering companies — Many hire teens for bussing, hosting, dishwashing, and prep work. Explore neighborhood favorites and chains like Chick-fil-A, Panera Bread, and Starbucks.

Recreation & Entertainment

  • Philadelphia Parks & Recreation — Lifeguard positions (ages 16+) paying $15.25+/hour with free training. Lifeguarding builds responsibility and time management skills.
  • American Pool — Manages over 100 pools in Eastern Pennsylvania; offers lifeguard, CPR, and AED certification training at discounted rates.
  • Sesame Place (Langhorne, PA) — Seasonal jobs in guest services, rides, and food service, ideal for teens during summer months.
  • Local movie theaters, bowling alleys, and amusement parks — Often hire teens for front-of-house and maintenance roles.

Healthcare & Internships

  • Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) — Occasionally offers internships and volunteer opportunities for older high school students interested in healthcare careers.
  • Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN) — Connects teens with paid internships across various industries.

How to Find a Job

  • Online Job Boards: Use sites like Indeed, Snagajob, and local listings on Philadelphia’s official job portal (phila.gov/jobs).
  • Job Fairs: Attend local job fairs—many employers participate in seasonal hiring events. Watch for announcements from your school or community centers.
  • In-Person Applications: Visit local businesses, malls, and restaurants to ask about openings and drop off your resume.
  • Networking: Ask family, friends, teachers, and counselors if they know of openings or can provide referrals.

Current Opportunities & Resources

Franklin Towne does not have a partnership or relationship with ANY employer, so please work with your family to research further should you wish to apply.

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Lifeguards

Become a summer lifeguard and earn competitive wages. Free training and certification are provided.
Apply here: Become a Lifeguard

Nifty Fifty’s Restaurant

Hiring takeout and kitchen staff with flexible schedules and benefits.
Apply online or text NiftyNN to 85000.

American Pool Lifeguard Positions

Competitive pay and bonus incentives; discounted training available.
More info: American Pool | Guard for Life

Lenny's Mobility Services & Shoe Repair

Lenny's Mobility Equipment and Shoe Repair has summer jobs available for high school students.

More info: Call 215-925-8099 or send your resume to [email protected]

 

Questions?

Contact Franklin Towne’s office for assistance with work permits, and your counselor for other questions.