Quality First Jobs When You’re Just Getting Started

A good first job has an employer that understands your needs and has a role that allows you to gain experience in a positive atmosphere. When just starting out in the workforce, seek out a good work environment to ensure a positive experience. First jobs can help you learn how to navigate the workplace and teach you about your interpersonal skills. When choosing a first job, keep in mind your needs and availability. A good first job should have:

• Flexibility
• Support for new employees
• Safety measures in place
• Strong leadership
• Open communication
• A good environment

Although some first jobs do necessitate solitary work and may be with less established companies, you want to ensure that you feel safe and can communicate openly concerns or difficulties you might encounter. Consider working with individuals who are part of your community and can offer support in case you need guidance.

Learn more: Start here to help you find the perfect job for you!

Below is a list of possible first jobs that you might consider to help you decide what is right for you.

Babysitter

Average Base Pay: $30,001

Watching children can be a great fit for you if you like a more relaxed atmosphere and working with kids.

House cleaner

Average Base Pay: $24,038

If you focus on details and have the ability to organize taking jobs cleaning houses might be something to consider.

Pet sitter

Average Base Pay: $875 per month

If you are a personality that prefers working with animals by making sure they are fed properly and get the exercise they need, you may enjoy pet sitting.

House sitter

Average Base Pay: $21 per hour

A house sitter is often tasked with watering plants, bringing in the mail, and ensuring things are in order when owners are away.

Lawn and landscaping caretaker

Average Base Pay: $13 per hour

Mowing lawns and pruning bushes can also be a good way to start working if you like the outdoors.

Tutor

Average Base Pay: $20,347

Helping another person with homework or mastering a skill can help you gain great communication skills.

Shopper

Average Base Pay: $57,273

Some people can’t or don’t like going shopping in stores. If you don’t mind lines this is a service you can offer to gain experience.

Driver

Average Base Pay: $50,000

If you like to drive and have a license and car, driving someone on their errands might be a good option.

Entry-level IT tech support

Average Base Pay: $41,569

If you know the basics, you can assist users with phone usage, email management, and online chat services.

Data entry

Average Base Pay: $34,925

For those who are skilled and transcribing information or have basic typing skills, data entry has many options.

Online community manager

Average Base Pay: $46,333

You can be the initial contact point for small businesses in your area, or for a family-owned business, and help answer basic questions about products and services.

Online tutor

Average Base Pay: $20,347

With some basic skills and supplies, you can tutor online and help others from around the world with different subjects.

Social media handler

Average Base Pay: $50,473

Help some small businesses organize their sites or manage social media. They can often serve as a source of marketing by interfacing with followers online.

Telemarketer

Average Base Pay: $23,839

If you are a persuasive personality you may consider cold-calling and using your communication skills for telemarketing.

Call-center associate

Average Base Pay: $26,351

Call center associates usually help resolve basic issues with customers or put them in contact with others who can help.

Camp counselor

Average Base Pay: $20,482

Camp counselors often work with kids of a variety of ages to organize activities and crafts. They manage day-to-day activities and provide a safe environment and enrichment opportunities for camp-goers.

Youth counselor

Average Base Pay: $37,208

A youth counselor helps offer emotional support and organizes activities for community youth members to socialize safely.

Swim coach

Average Base Pay: $40,089

A summer swim coach offers lessons and the opportunity to practice swimming with assistance and supervision.

Amusement park attendant

Average Base Pay: $21,010

Park attendants take tickets and run rides so customers can enjoy themselves. Attendants can also be charged with routine maintenance, like cleaning seats or oiling gears, of some rides.

Parking attendant

Average Base Pay: $21,034

A parking attendant can help customers park their vehicles safely, particularly during peak hours at a business.

Daycare worker

Average Base Pay: $23,560

Daycare workers help to watch children when parents are at work and can provide basic needs for children while ensuring safety.

Summer tutor

Average Base Pay: $19,838

A summer tutor can offer supplemental assistance to student-learners during school breaks to ensure there is no learning slide during summer breaks.

Ice-skating rink attendant

Average Base Pay: $21,010

An ice skating rink attendant can be tasked with selling and collecting tickets, assigning skates, ensuring correct fit, and even offering support on ice for those that need it.

Lifeguard

Average Base Pay: $21,375

A lifeguard can be year-round in an indoor climate, but peak times are during the summer where they monitor pool safety and react to assist struggling swimmers or those in danger of drowning or injury. They often provide educational instruction to those patrons in need of water safety information.

Library intern assistant

Average Base Pay: $39,818

A library intern assistant can learn the basics of library science and help shelve books. Additionally, they can assist patrons in locating materials.

Concession stand attendant

Average Base Pay: $21,010

Concessions stand attendants sell and distribute concessions during events at centers and arenas.

Writer

Average Base Pay: $51,395

Writers can be commissioned to create any form of the written word. You may choose to focus on cartoons, comics, poetry, or non-fiction pieces.

Cartoonist

Average Base Pay: $34,974

A cartoon artist can use their talent to draw images as desired.

Virtual assistant

Average Base Pay: $26,350

Helping with scheduling meetings or live chats can be a good first job for someone who is organized and outgoing.

Uber or Lyft driver

Average Base Pay: $36,169

With a driver’s license and safe operating vehicle, you can work a flexible schedule as a driver helping people get to where they need to go.

Photographer

Average Base Pay: $30,367

If you have an eye for angles and enjoy being creative, taking some roles as a photographer might be an option for you.

DJ

Average Base Pay: $22 per hour

Although usually needed for special events, a person knowledgeable of music might do well as a DJ.

Special events host

Average Base Pay: $21,582

Usually required more during peak wedding season and during large gatherings, a host for special events will help seat people and make sure things are in working order for events.

Beauty consultant

Average Base Pay: $21,798

Consultants help customers at the counters with their purchases and offer suggestions to better the experience and product performance. They are often a source of education for customers who need to learn more about the products and cosmetic purchases.

Customer service representative

Average Base Pay: $27,834

A customer service representative interfaces with customers to ensure a positive buying experience and help with any questions. They are a relay between the company and customer and work to help resolve any issues or concerns raised by customers.

Cashier

Average Base Pay: $20,654

A cashier scans items, takes payments, processes credit card payments, and also packages purchases for in-store customers. Additionally, cashiers can offer customer support by further assisting them in finding their items or communicating with management any issues.

Restaurant host or hostess

Average Base Pay: $21,582

A hostgreets customers and ensures a prompt and positive seating experience. They also balance the tables for servers and can often assist in busing or cleaning tables.

Stocker

Average Base Pay: $22,467

A stocker often processes merchandise as it is shelved in stores and ensures tags are visible and store displays are safe.

Kiosk manager

Average Base Pay: $39,539

A kiosk manager manages the small storefront for the owner and is tasked with also attracting new customers based on their persuasion and communication abilities.