“I just applied to a job in a bookstore because I consider myself a bookworm. I love reading and I want to help more people read books. At the interview I asked the manager to put me in the customer-service division so I can speak to people and learn more about people and gain presentation skills,” said Ahmed Saeed, a 22-year-old university student in Jeddah.

“I see summer as an opportunity to gain experience and make extra pocket money. I can easily start my resume with summer jobs, as they are small highlights that gives extra points when I graduate and look for a job.”

Every summer holiday, many high school students apply for a part-time job as cashiers in one of Jeddah’s famous supermarkets.

“The owner of the supermarket supports the younger generation and makes sure to hire a number of them in order to encourage them,” said Jalal, a manager at one of Jeddah’s chain supermarkets. “We offer them jobs like standing at the cashier, organizing the aisles or just a training job at the head office. We believe that we should invest in our youth for a better tomorrow.”

Even though the money earned in summer jobs isn't much, students look to gain experience and spend their time in doing something beneficial.

“There is nothing to do during the summer in Jeddah. I have tried to look for sources of entertainment to spend my free time, but other than gatherings and shopping there is nothing much to do,” said Jana Wali, 19-year-old college student.

“I have just started working as a receptionist at an English institute and I believe that I am very entertained. I am having fun working even if the money is very little as I’m still doing something beneficial to me and to my future.”

Omar Sallam, 24, is helping his father in the summer. He plans to work with him when he graduates.

“I have been working for my father for five years now. My father is supporting me and helping me learn more about his business so I can work for him when I graduate,” he said. “I cannot say that I enjoy working all day, but knowing that this is my future makes me want to discover and learn more about the business.”

Other students turn to volunteering to invest their time in helping society.

“I just signed to volunteer with a cleaning campaign to improve my city and to devote my time in doing good,” said Ayah Essam, 15-year-old school student. “I look forward to contributing along with a group of my school friends who aim to help our city even with a small gesture like picking up trash from the floor.”

Recently the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) offered 7,000 summer jobs for diploma holders and college students. The RCCI announced this during the first three days of its recruiting program, which ended Monday. Nearly 1,000 applicants and more than 365 employers participated.

The RCCI was expected to hire candidates for the rest of the 7,000 available jobs and training positions. Training, according to a source at the chamber, includes English language and computers, as they are the main demanded skills in the private sector.

The RCCI had previously addressed its associates to interact with the program presented to serve and help young men and women invest their spare time in acquiring necessary skills to enter the manpower market.

The RCCI is cooperating with the Riyadh Recruitment Office in accordance to a royal decree calling for accepting college and diploma students for training in companies during the summer vacation to equip them with necessary skills for their own benefit and the country’s future.