Store Associate
Live Your American Summer on the Shores of Lake Michigan
Imagine spending your summer in one of Michigan’s most beloved resort towns – where turquoise waters meet sandy beaches, downtown streets are filled with boutiques and ice-cream shops, and sunsets over Little Traverse Bay look like postcards. Momentum of Petoskey is looking for energetic, friendly university students to join the team as Store Associates for the Summer to Fall season.
With a competitive rate of $20 per hour and 45 guaranteed hours per week, this is one of the strongest earning opportunities in the Work & Travel USA program – perfect for students who want to save money, travel across America afterwards, and gain real international work experience.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Welcoming customers with a smile and helping them find exactly what they need
- Operating the cash register and processing payments accurately
- Restocking shelves, arranging displays and keeping the sales floor looking sharp
- Assisting with deliveries, inventory checks and product organization
- Answering questions about products, promotions and the local area
- Keeping the store clean, safe and welcoming for every visitor
- Working as part of a fun, supportive American retail team
Why Petoskey, Michigan?
Petoskey is a charming northern Michigan town famous for its historic Gaslight District, its Petoskey stones (fossilized coral you can hunt for on the beach!) and its role as Ernest Hemingway’s childhood summer escape. Days off mean beach time on Lake Michigan, kayaking, cycling the Little Traverse Wheelway, hiking, farmers’ markets and live music downtown. In early fall, the surrounding forests explode into red and gold – one of the most beautiful autumn landscapes in the United States.
The town is safe, welcoming and full of international students every summer, so you’ll make friends from around the world within days of arriving. Chicago, Detroit, Traverse City and even Canada are all within reach for weekend trips.
What You Get
- $20.00 per hour – excellent pay for a retail position
- 45 hours per week – strong, steady income all season
- Summer to Fall placement – a longer season means bigger savings
- Real customer service and sales experience for your CV
- Daily English practice with native speakers
- A friendly team and a genuine small-town American experience
What We’re Looking For
- University students aged 18–25 eligible for the Work & Travel USA (J-1) program
- Conversational English – confident enough to chat with customers
- A positive, outgoing attitude and a genuine smile
- Reliability, punctuality and a willingness to learn
- Ability to stand for long shifts and lift light-to-moderate boxes
- Flexibility to work weekends, evenings and holidays during peak season
- Team spirit – you’ll be part of a close-knit crew
No previous experience required – full training is provided. Bring your energy, and Momentum of Petoskey will take care of the rest.
Spots for high-paying positions like this one fill quickly. Apply today and start planning the summer you’ll be talking about for years.
About Michigan
Michigan's Great Lakes shores, Mackinac Island and resort towns make for a classic lakeside summer. Students work in island hotels, resorts and restaurants surrounded by beaches and forests.
