Summer jobs gives teens a chance to earn their own income and practice a little financial independence. But rarely do teens think about the skills the job will offer, if any.

Even if your teen has no idea which career path to choose, these five jobs will teach teens valuable work skills.

1. Internship

Internships are great for teens for a number of reasons. For teens who already have a career path in mind, an internship will provide valuable experience and exposure. Working as an intern will also provide early networking opportunities.

But here's the catch: internships are usually unpaid positions. Still, the experience and connections that internships offer make them worth pursuing if your teen is considering a particular career.

2. Camp Counselor

Leaderships skills will get you far in the career world. Teens may not be able to jump right into a managerial position straight out of college, but they can start working to build this valuable skill early on with a job as a camp counselor.

This job is ideal for older teens who enjoy the outdoors and mentoring young children. Teens will develop a number of useful and transferable skills when working as a camp counselor, such as:

• Communication

• Conflict resolution

• Leadership abilities

All of these skills are valuable in any workplace.

Working as a counselor often requires teens to spend time away from home, which can also help them become more independent.

3. Tutor

Teens who are interested in a career in the education field can benefit from working as a tutor. Working one-on-one with students, teens can develop a number of teaching skills when working with a tutor, such as:

• How to develop lessons

• How to incorporate technology into lessons

• How to work off a student's strengths

• How to assess work

• How to keep students engaged

Tutors can earn $15 or more per hour, which also makes this an attractive job from a financial standpoint.

4. Digital Marketing Firm

If your tech-savvy teen has an interest in marketing or business in general, working at a digital marketing firm can prove to be a lucrative and educational experience.

Digital marketing firms typically provide a wide range of services, from web design to reputation management. But if teens are passionate about the internet marketing field, they can work independently as a freelancer.

While working in this field, teens can gain a number of skills, including:

• Communication

• Tech

• Leadership

Teens will also gain networking opportunities that can prove to be valuable in the future.

5. Freelance Writer

Teens who are passionate about writing can spend their summer months working as a freelance writer.

As a freelance writer, your teen will learn valuable research and writing skills. Teens will also learn how to find work opportunities and develop entrepreneurial skills as a result.

Succeeding as a freelance writer is hard work, which will also teach your teen an important life lesson. The pay isn't always great, but if your teen is interested in working as a writer, freelancing may offer valuable opportunities for networking.