Best Places for College Students to Find Part Time Summer Jobs in Wilmington, NC

Are you a student at UNCW or CFCC and searching for a part-time job during the summer? Wilmington and its beaches hire many college students during the summer months because of peak vacation season and flocks of tourists that visit the area. Here are some of the best businesses to work for.

(1) NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher

The Aquarium at Fort Fisher hires college students during the summer to lead children's summer camps and give tours to youngsters and other visitors. Some are hired to work in the gift shop or go scuba diving to feed the fish and clean the tanks.

Hours for the Aquarium are 9 to 5 daily throughout the year. In July, the aquarium is open 9am to 9pm for family nights. Typical pay will be minimal, but if you love fish, the beautiful marine atmosphere will make you not care about the small paycheck.

(2) Winner Queen Boat

This is my favorite job, and you have to have sea legs! The Winner Boat owners have, on occasion, placed ads wanting crewmembers aboard their educational trips. The boat takes students and groups to ocean reefs and remote islands for tours. Your duties would be teaching the students in grades K-12 about the science and other educational aspects of marine life during the entire trip.

(3) Parks & Recreation

New Hanover County Parks and Recreation as well as the Town of Wrightsville Beach often hire college students during the summer to help out with keeping the cities clean and safe. Many students get jobs as referees, umpires, and scorekeepers for local sports teams. Others mow grass and do landscaping tasks around town. Being outdoors in the heat and sun are frequent requirements when working with the parks and rec center. If you prefer the A/C during the summer, then the parks and rec probably won't have anything for you.

A drawback for working here is that typically you'd work odd hours - either mornings, afternoons, and sometimes nights. Weekends are almost always a must, too.

(4) Lifeguard for Carolina, Kure, and Wrightsville Beach

Calling all the physically fit, superb swimmers, and beach lovers: the area beaches have lots of job openings for you during the summer - as a lifeguard! The southern beaches of North Carolina get rip currents often, almost daily. The area beaches around Wilmington always hire certified lifeguards for the summer months. You have to go through a lifeguard test and training before climbing the stand. The test is very difficult and will put your abilities to the test.

Lifeguards receive surfboards and four-wheelers to aid in rescues. Other duties include informing swimmers of possible dangers and keeping surfers away from the piers.

Days as a lifeguard can be long and hot. If you enjoy being in the sun at the beach all day, then you'd make a good lifeguard. You receive a few breaks during the day and another lifeguard takes your place until you get back. A plus to being a lifeguard is that pay is a dollar or two an hour higher than other summer jobs like waitressing and retail jobs.