With summer just around the corner, Cal High students are searching for jobs to keep them occupied and to earn some money during the months off of school.

Grocery stores such as Safeway and Trader Joe’s are among the many businesses in the area looking to hire summer help.

Safeway is looking for full and part-time store employees who are 16 years old or older. Some positions they are offering include cashier, deli clerk, and cook. 

Trader Joe’s is also looking for crew members to help out at their San Ramon location. Employees perform tasks such as operating the cash register, stocking shelves, and helping customers find products. Trader Joe’s is offering this role for $16-$19 per hour.

“I love the environment there [at Trader Joe’s],” senior Nicky McCune said. “It’s a very good first job for high schoolers.” 

McCune said when he works the opening shift, he and other employees unload the truck, talk together, and then assist customers. He also stocks shelves and gathers carts.

Senior Lucy Pugh is a Starbucks barista. Pugh applied online, got a call to interview at Starbucks, and was hired on the spot.

“I like making drinks, it’s a creative setting that I like being in,” Pugh said. “I would recommend this job if you are looking for a busy job.”

Pugh organizes and cleans items, makes drinks, and preps food during her typical shift at Starbucks.

Cal’s website has a job page where students can find businesses that are hiring 15 and 16-year-olds. Some jobs on the site include Mountain Mike’s, Cold Stone Creamery, Target, and McDonald’s.

The San Ramon Recreation Center is hiring lifeguards, recreation leaders, cashiers, office assistants, and assistant activity managers. Hourly wages vary from $15-$22. Teens can apply and find more information on the city’s website.

Becoming a certified lifeguard is a popular job for teens, but it requires a few steps. First, individuals must register for training and then apply online to be a lifeguard. After completing the training, they must pass an interview. Lifeguarding can pay anywhere from $15-$19.80 per hour depending on age and experience.

Lifeguards must be at least 15- years-old, be able to swim 300 yards using both freestyle and breaststroke techniques, be able to retrieve a 10-pound weight in 7-foot deep water, and tread water for two minutes. 

“I would consider [lifeguarding] if you want some easy money and you want to be outside,” said sophomore Madeleine Hove, a lifeguard at the San Ramon Olympic Pool. “The people are cool and everyone knows each other.” 

Hove typically works morning shifts and goes to school directly after. Since Cal is close to the pool, Hove can commute easily.

Another local job that teens can take on is working at an ice cream shop. Cold Stone Creamery, Baskin-Robbins, and Salt & Straw are just a few of many ice cream stores hiring in San Ramon. 

Cold Stone is offering $15-$18 an hour to be a part-time crew member. Salt & Straw offers $16.32 per hour to be an ice cream scooper. Baskin-Robbins does not have their wages posted online for their Dublin store.

“I usually work the night shift,” said sophomore Mostafa Khan, who works at Baskin-Robbins. “I’ll just be serving customers, cleaning. Around nine o’clock, I will start to clean up and get ready for closing.”

Another Cal student who works at Baskin-Robbins said the job was a good entry-level job for students new to working.

“You learn a lot of experience on how to deal with customers and it’s a great first job. [I would recommend this job to] freshmen and sophomores, people who can dedicate a few hours to working every week,” sophomore Sahasra Veerapaneni said.

Another restaurant that is hiring in San Ramon is Panera Bread, which is looking for cashiers and salad/sandwich makers that are at least 16 years old. 

Many jobs allow students to apply online through websites such as ZipRecruiter, Indeed.com, and snagajob.com. A quick Google Search of San Ramon job opportunities provides teens with a list of companies looking for part-time hires. Teens can also find age and prerequisite requirements on these websites.