When I was going to school at BYU, I worked as a teller at Zions Bank making $10 an hour.
I was grateful to have a job. I was learning, earning a paycheck, and doing what a lot of college students in Provo do: trying to make work fit around school while figuring out what came next.
But I didn't have much money, and I was hungry to prove myself. I kept wondering if there was another opportunity where I could earn more and see what I was capable of.
Then a friend told me about summer sales. He said I could go out for a summer and potentially make $10,000.
To someone making $10 an hour, that sounded like a massive opportunity. At that hourly rate, $10,000 represented 1,000 hours of work before taxes. The idea of pursuing that amount in one summer got my attention immediately.
I ended up making $10,000 that first summer—the goal that had sounded so exciting when my friend first told me about it.
I went for the money. What I didn't expect was how much I would gain beyond a paycheck.
If you're looking for summer jobs in Provo, you may be asking the same question I was: Which job will help me pay my bills and actually move me forward?
What are your job options as a Provo student?
There's no single best job for every BYU or UVU student. The right choice depends on your schedule, financial needs, career goals, and whether you need to stay in Utah County.
Here are several options worth comparing. These are job categories to explore, rather than a list of confirmed openings.
Campus jobs and local hourly work
Campus employment, bank teller positions, retail, restaurants, and customer service roles are all places to start your search.
An hourly job can make sense when you need predictable pay and a schedule that works around classes. You can also gain useful experience handling customers, solving problems, and being someone a manager can rely on.
My bank job gave me experience working with people. It had value. I just reached a point where I wanted to explore a different earning opportunity.
When comparing hourly jobs, ask about the hours you'll actually receive, scheduling during exams, and opportunities for more responsibility.
DoorDash and other delivery work
Delivery work is worth considering if flexibility matters most. You might want to earn money between classes or add income around another job.
DoorDash explains that Dasher pay includes base pay, tips, and applicable promotions. When comparing it with another job, look at what you keep after fuel, vehicle wear, and time spent waiting between deliveries.
For example, a student taking summer classes and needing short work windows might prefer delivery work over a job with fixed shifts.
The question is whether it supports your goals at the hours you can realistically work.
Internships related to your major
If you're studying information systems, accounting, engineering, marketing, or another field with a clear career path, a relevant internship deserves a serious look.
Some internships may pay less than you hoped. Others offer competitive compensation. Either way, consider the actual work, mentorship, and career opportunities alongside the pay.
A good internship can be valuable if you leave with meaningful projects, stronger skills, and people who can recommend you for your next role.
BYU's career resources point students to Handshake for job and internship postings, and UVU's internship resources offer guidance for exploring internship opportunities.
Don't choose an internship just because the title sounds impressive. Ask what you'll do and what you'll learn.
Seasonal work and hands-on services
Landscaping, lawn care, moving, recreation programs, and other seasonal services are additional categories to investigate around Provo and Orem.
These can appeal to students who enjoy physical work or being outdoors. Ask how weather affects hours, whether transportation or equipment is required, and when the busy season ends.
If staying close to home is a priority, local seasonal work may fit better than an opportunity requiring relocation.
Summer sales
Summer sales caught my attention because it offered the chance to earn based on performance and develop a skill I could use long after college.
It also came with challenges. Knocking doors means starting conversations with strangers, hearing "no," and learning to stay consistent when a day doesn't go your way.
Someone who wants to develop communication skills, enjoys competition, and can commit to a demanding summer may find that appealing.
Someone who needs a guaranteed paycheck or must stay in Provo may prefer another option. Understand the compensation, work location, and expenses before committing.
What I gained from my first summer beyond the money
Me during my first summer in door-to-door sales. I earned $10,000 that summer, but the confidence, friendships, and experience stayed with me long after it ended.
The earning opportunity got me out the door. The experience gave me reasons to keep going.
Confidence. Repeatedly introducing myself to strangers taught me to get more comfortable starting conversations. I learned that I could do something difficult even when I didn't feel ready.
Friendships. Working alongside people through a challenging summer gave us shared experiences and reasons to encourage each other. The relationships became a meaningful part of the experience.
Sales experience. I learned to listen, ask questions, explain value, and handle objections. Those skills stayed useful beyond a single summer job.
A better understanding of my own ability. There were hard days. I had to keep working, make adjustments, and improve. By the end, I considered the summer a success financially and personally.
That's why I encourage students to consider what they'll take away from a job besides the paycheck.
Can summer sales change your financial situation?
The possibility of five-figure summer earnings is a major reason students explore commission-based sales. But a possibility isn't a promise, and working hard alone doesn't guarantee a particular result.
Your results depend on your skills, consistency, training, territory, product, and compensation agreement. You also need to understand expenses, cancellations, and when commissions are paid.
Ask the company to walk you through realistic first-year outcomes and the written pay plan. Compare what you could actually keep with what you could earn in another job.
For a college student, a productive summer can create breathing room for tuition, rent, or savings. The goal is to choose an opportunity you understand and then give yourself a serious chance to succeed.
Questions to ask before accepting a summer job
Before saying yes, get clear answers to these questions:
- Will I work in Provo, somewhere else in Utah, or out of state?
- Is pay hourly, salary, commission, or a combination?
- When will I receive my pay, and what could reduce it?
- What expenses will I be responsible for?
- What does a normal workday and workweek look like?
- What training and ongoing support will I receive?
- Can I talk with someone who did this job for the first time last summer?
- Will the schedule work with my school and personal commitments?
- What skills or experience will I leave with?
- What happens if the job isn't a good fit?
A good opportunity should still make sense after you ask detailed questions.
Exploring summer sales as a Provo student
I know what it feels like to be in Provo, going to school, making an hourly paycheck, and wondering whether you could do more.
Summer sales was worth exploring for me. It gave me an opportunity to pursue a bigger financial goal while building confidence, friendships, and practical experience.
If that sounds like something you'd like to learn more about, visit our Summer Jobs for Provo Students page to explore the opportunity and apply for a conversation.
We recruit students from Provo and the surrounding area, but this summer opportunity will likely require temporary relocation to another state. We'll discuss the work location, timing, and any related expenses before you decide.
Bring your questions. Tell us what you want to accomplish. Let's see whether the opportunity fits the summer you want to have.