Most students in grades 8-12 don't struggle because there aren't jobs — they struggle because they don't know where to look.

Your school's guidance counselor posts the same three volunteer options. Indeed is a mess. And your parents' advice is "just walk in and hand them a resume" (that hasn't worked since 2005).

Here's what actually works in Toronto right now:

For jobs:

• Small businesses in your neighbourhood are always hiring — cafes, tutoring centres, retail. But they post on Instagram stories, not job boards

• Rec centres and community centres hire seasonal staff every spring/summer. Applications open months early

• If you're 14-15, focus on babysitting, tutoring, and lawn care. Build a client base before you're old enough for formal employment

For volunteer hours:

• Hospitals, food banks, and libraries are the classics — but the waitlists are brutal

• Look at local events, community gardens, and neighbourhood cleanups instead

• Your school probably has partnerships you don't know about. Ask your VP, not your guidance counselor

We built OppurTor to centralize all of this for Toronto students. Real opportunities, posted by real people, updated constantly.

Join free. Start finding opportunities.