Best jobs for students currently in high school?

I'd like to gain some work experience during high school. What part-time jobs do you recommend that fit a high school student's schedule, and what should I look out for while applying?

Definitely a great move to start making some money and build your resume while you're still in high school. Your options will depend a bit on your personal interests, time availability and also your location.

1. Retail or Sales Associate: Many businesses such as movie theaters, fast food or clothing stores hire high school students for part-time roles. These offer flexible hours and give you customer service experience that can be important for many future jobs.

2. Tutoring: If you excel in a particular subject, consider becoming a private tutor. You could tutor younger students or peers. It's flexible and can be quite lucrative. Additionally, it can add significant value to your resume as it demonstrates intellectual competency as well as leadership skills.

3. Personal Assistant or Babysitter: Babysitting or assisting with daily personal tasks can be a good job that works around your school schedule. Babysitting also develops responsibility and time management skills.

4. Internship: If there’s a field you’re particularly interested in, whether it’s medicine, law, journalism, computer programming, etc., consider looking for an internship or job shadow opportunity. This can provide invaluable experience and allow you to make connections in your preferred professional field.

Always be sure to identify how the job will fit into your school schedule and how it will affect your study time. Check the working hours and discuss flexibility for exam seasons before committing.

Keep in mind labor laws—many states restrict hours and types of work for minors, and federal law sets the minimum working age at 14 for most non-agricultural jobs. Your school counselor can provide more specifics on your state's labor laws.

Finally, always make sure you're comfortable in the environment where you'll be working and it's safe to get there and back. Any job experience should contribute to your growth and well-being, not detract from it.