GIMP Version: 2.8.10
Operating System: Linux
GIMP Experience: Beginner Level

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making selections and saving them as paths in jpegs?
I can do it in other image apps - is there a way in GImp?

basically you make a selection
right click and choose "make work path"
(If you used the pen tool it will already be a path)
then just save the jpeg as normal and the path will be embedded into it.
I have tried in Gimp but it doesn't save the path.

You can convert the selection to a path then save it as an SVG but not in a jpg. Create your selection then in your paths tab, one of the icons at the bottom will convert it. It is the only icon that isn't greyed out. I believe you then right click the path and export as SVG.

I'm curious why you need this?
PS will save a jpeg 'work path' but it's not a 'real' jpeg file (useless outside the adobe ecosystem), for example if you save for the web in PS you lose the path. In Gimp use Save as XCF or if you need to transfer Export as SVG. If you're worried about file size export or save as bzip or gzip (*.xcf.bz2, *.xcf.gz) Gimp seamlessly opens both.

@ odinbc it was just to save file size that's all and also you dont need two keep two files one the original .jpg and then another .xcf but it's no big deal was just curious.

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You can also save any "selection" to a channel, but you would have to save the file with an xcf file extension, to be able to recover the selection and turn it into a path.
Or as mention earlier, "save selection as a svg.(Scalable Vector Graphics) file.

My normal workflow, which I assume is the same for most, is to stay in native XCF and export to other formats, as needed.