Summer's coming ... and are you dreading your teen college-age kid coming home and sitting around the house? Not in these tough times -- they'll need to work! But where? Here are a few tips that can help your co-ed get on the road to financial freedom.

The AP's Candice Choi, who works the personal finance beat, says make sure your kid starts early. Jobs that traditionally would have gone to teens or college students are now being snapped up by adults who are out of work. Three ways to insure your kid has an in to the summer job market -- an in that can only benefit them in the future:

1. Use their school's career center. Most high schools and colleges have them. These centers maintain large databases of job openings, with some posted by school alumni, thus giving the student the upper hand. Counselors help polish resumes, fine tune interview skills and offer workshops based on specific fields. It's also quite convenient -- many employers come to the center to do interviews.

2. Launch their own business. It may seemed farfetched, but if your teen has a specific skill, why not capitalize on it? Whether it's web design, mowing lawns or baking brownies -- it pays the bills. They can develop project management and marketing skills. Of course, this isn't for everyone, but captalizing on their strengths can lead to profits.

3. Create an internship. On the job training is vital once out in the workforce. If an internship isn't available at a largeer company, check with a smaller firm in the area. They may be dying for the help -- and your teen may be able to get class credit. While it's not a paid gig -- being at the right place at the right time could land them a job when they graduate.

With a little creative thinking, your teen can be prepared for the jungle that is the current job market.