Close up of beer taps in a row with male bar staff serving in a blurred background

Why working in a pub is the best summer job for students

Why working in a pub is the best summer job for students

Jess Birch our consultant managing the role
Date posted: 14/06/2024

Evenings are staying lighter for longer and the days are growing warmer. Dare we say summer is on the way?

If you’re thinking “How can I make money as a student?” and are keen to make some extra cash to fund your summertime plans, why not check out hospitality jobs? At Mitchells and Butlers, we offer Hastee Pay, so there’s no need to wait for payday, you can access your earned pay when you need it. 

If you’re heading off to university in September or are looking for something between semesters, get ahead of the curve. 

Your summer job could turn into a permanent part-time role that works flexibly around your schedule. Plus, it’s never too early to start scoring good references.

With part-time “earn while you learn jobs”, you’ll develop soft skills and gain a competitive edge post-graduation with transferable skills like listening, communication, leadership and resilience. As an added bonus, you’ll find yourself becoming a master of time management, something that will look great on your CV and set you up for success in your studies!

Worried about the drama of finding a new job after summer? When it’s time to head back you can easily transfer to another M&B pub or restaurant nearer to your uni with our M&Be Transferred scheme. Don’t just take it from us, read why a uni transfer at M&B was the best summer job for Ben

Hospitality is buzzing with great summer holiday jobs for students but where do you begin? 

Serve up some cheer with bar jobs 

Working behind the bar is like no other job. It’s exciting, sociable, fast-paced, and rewarding. You’ll be chatting with customers regularly, whether it’s giving them advice on cocktails that will tantalise their taste buds or making small talk about the weather - nothing more quintessentially British eh? And you guessed it, you’ll also learn to pour pints and make spectacular cocktails to impress friends all summer long.

And yes, you’ll face a busy shift or two but you’ll have your work besties by your side to help you out. 

Coming together to serve up the best customer experience is what makes you bond as a team. There are also plenty of chances to create lifelong friends at team socials!

Search for bar and waiting jobs near you.

Cater to your strengths with waiting jobs

If you’re looking for a job you can start right away, waiting jobs are ideal. You don’t need experience to work in a pub, although there is a lot of knowledge and skills you’ll pick up along the way. Team mates can show you the ropes when it comes to using the till or ordering system or getting to know the drinks and dishes on offer. Succeeding in this role is more about your attitude and personality. 

If you’re happy to chat with customers then you’ll love creating a friendly atmosphere that guests will remember, plus connecting with customers is a sure way to top up your tips! Already lined up an interview or trial shift? Check out the 5 top skills to dazzle your guests in a waiting job.

Get your summer off to a sizzling start with our kitchen jobs

In a pub kitchen, you can feed off a high-energy atmosphere and find camaraderie amongst team mates when things heat up! If you like structure in your day, read why you’ll love working in an M&B kitchen

Now, you might not think of yourself as the next Jamie Oliver or Mary Berry, but there are still plenty of jobs in a kitchen for those new to the industry. Here are some hot picks:

Kitchen assistants help to keep the kitchen spick and span during a busy shift and support the chefs to serve food to be proud of. 

Chefs use their culinary experience to cook up a storm, with masterful knowledge of the menu inside out. 

Kitchen porters are key to the smooth running of the kitchen, we have them to thank for keeping our pots sparkling and our food prepped!

What’s more, if you’re a foodie, you’ll love the massive 33% discount across all Mitchells and Butlers’ brands, including Toby Carvery, All Bar One, O’Neills and more. Explore kitchen assistant jobs.

Earn while you learn with a summer holiday job at M&B

There you have it, there’s more to hospitality jobs than meets the eye. At Mitchells and Butlers, we believe that happy, fulfilled employees make for happy, satisfied guests. Do you want to be a part of the action?

With more than 100 years of experience in hospitality and thousands of career opportunities, what are you waiting for? 

Explore great summer jobs for students with us. And you never know, your summer job could support you through the rest of your university years with our M&Be Transferred scheme. 

Wondering where to begin in your summer job search? Check out our guide on how to find the perfect part-time summer job!

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