Gen Z and Millennials Are Taking On Second (and Third) Jobs This Summer: Here’s Why
Gen Zers and millennials aren’t just filling up their free time with vacations and road trips this summer—some are taking on second or even third jobs in the warmer months. Squeezed by inflation and insufficient wages, many Americans are turning to side hustles and additional jobs as a way to make ends meet. But for some young adults, working a second seasonal job is about more than just money. They see it as a way to earn money doing something they love or pad their savings account with some extra spending money.
Key Takeaways:
- Financial Pressure: Many young adults are supplementing their primary income with seasonal jobs to combat the effects of inflation and increase their overall earning power.
- Fulfillment and Fun: Some are choosing jobs they enjoy or that allow them to engage in hobbies, such as working at a beachside restaurant or a summer camp.
- Building Savings: A second job can be a way for millennials and Gen Zers to save up for major life goals, like a home purchase or a wedding.
- Social Outlet: Working a seasonal job can provide an additional social outlet, especially for remote workers who may spend a significant amount of time alone.
‘It’s More Than a Job, It’s Where I Grew Up’
Anna Laquintano, 28, has spent 12 summers scooping frozen custard and Italian ice at Rita’s in Rockledge, Pennsylvania. She started working there with her older sister when she was 16 to kill time while she was off school. Now, she works full-time as a marketing coordinator at the American Heritage Federal Credit Union in Philadelphia—but from June through September, she’s also at Rita’s three nights a week, managing the store from 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
“I love that the job offers an additional source of income, but it’s more than that,” Laquintano tells CNBC Make It. “Rita’s has been a part of me for so long that I could never imagine letting it go… it’s more than a job, it’s where I grew up.”
Laquintano says she’s using her additional income to move out of her parent’s house and, hopefully, buy a home within the next year.
‘Everyone’s Happier at the Beach’
Pat Fullerton, 29, decided that if he was spending so much time and money at Bird & Betty’s, a popular waterfront bar and restaurant in Beach Haven, New Jersey, he might as well get paid for it. This is his second summer working as a server at Bird & Betty’s, a part-time gig he has in addition to his full-time job as an account executive at a software development firm.
Fullerton says the job has become something he looks forward to after work and on the weekends. “Everyone’s happier at the beach, it’s such a laid-back setting,” he explains. “I get to watch the sunset over the water from the restaurant’s rooftop, I’m getting extra steps in.”
Fullerton lives in Hoboken, New Jersey, about a two-hour drive from the restaurant, but his sales job is 100% remote, so he spends half the week—usually Thursdays through Sundays—living and working from his aunt’s beach house on the island. He anticipates that by the end of the summer, he’ll have earned anywhere from $6,000 to $8,000, depending on tips and any additional shifts he picks up. That money will go straight to the wedding he and his fiancé are planning.
A Surprising Antidote to Job Stress
Krystal Alvarado, 25, is a family services coordinator for the Hidalgo County Head Start Program, working with students from low-income households in school districts throughout South Texas. But between June and August, when schools are closed, she’s a counselor at the Kickapoo Kamp for Girls in Kerrville, Texas. She’s paid close to $1,500 for those six weeks of service.
Alvarado says that her summer job is a welcome break from the emotional toll of her full-time job. "I love my day job but it can take a toll on my mental health because the families I work with go through so much, and I’m limited in what I can do to help them," says Alvarado. "Working at Kickapoo, I feel like I can make a positive difference in these young girls’ lives and help them create happy memories, it’s a nice counterbalance to that."
A Changing Labor Market
The trend of young adults taking on second jobs, particularly seasonal ones, is indicative of a changing labor market. Workers are increasingly looking for flexibility, meaningful experiences, and financial security, leading to a rise in gig work and alternative employment models.
It remains to be seen whether this shift is sustainable in the long term. However, it reflects a growing desire for workers to control their own destinies, seek fulfillment outside of traditional careers, and find new ways to navigate the economic realities of the modern world.
