Advice: Summer Jobs and How to Get Them
Getting a summer job is a fantastic way of beating the boredom bug and injecting adventure into your holidays. The transitory nature of the experience is the perfect opportunity for you to explore different avenues and decide upon the type of employment which interests you the most. Usually students will go back to the same employer; however there’s nothing wrong with moving into unfamiliar territory once the season comes back around. Through experiencing different occupations you may stumble upon your dream job when you least expect it, or discover an untapped love for doing something you never even thought to get involved in!
Summer jobs are one way to make money without bugging your parents for it, plus a job will rescue you from endless months of bickering with the family - even more so if you’re brave enough to take on a live-in position! You’ll find these during seasonal work at resorts, holiday villages or cruise ships. You’ll enjoy leisure-filled days whilst contributing in an important way and building on your own talents; it may be the perfect way to commemorate your summer. You may be offered a fixed term contract, renewable from one season to the next, and have the choice to work in one of many professions. You’ll meet people from all over the place, do some brand new things, and be very well looked after on top of that. It’s an escape from home, and a chance to expand on your knowledge of the working world.
If that doesn’t sound appealing, but you still want an exciting summer vocation, then check out what work is available at nearby theme parks or visiting carnivals. Take a look on theme parks’ careers pages to get in contact with the relevant person for details on their seasonal positions, or go for a stroll around the local carnival and ask how to get involved. Variety, entertainment, a happening social life, and extra cash in your pocket are what to expect during your contracted period, plus free rides on your days off!
Moving away from the standard 9-5 can be exhilarating and a way to switch things up over the holidays. It gives applications a sprinkle of imagination if you’ve been involved in a job that stands outside the boundaries of traditional experience. Besides being a lot of fun for you, it shows creativity and initiative to prospective employers, and is sure to impress admissions staff at colleges and universities.
If you can’t go away from home for the whole summer, there’s still ample choice in vacancies to suit your needs. For those of you with a love of music, art and culture, see what’s on offer at one of the many summer festivals which take place each year. Mainly, these hire unpaid volunteers, though some will pay assistants for help on tasks such as cash handling, managing volunteers, stewarding, and general festival-day duties. All of it is good experience, plus you might even get to meet a couple of celebs!
Alternatively, landing a retail job is a good way to learn how to work under management in a fast-paced environment. You don’t usually need any experience, but you do have to show a passion for customer service and display an interest in the product on sale. If you love fashion, or have an interest in the latest technology, then you’ll enjoy spending your summer acquiring knowledge, polishing your skills, and abusing your staff discount!
For something a little more demure, take advantage of the opportunities available at galleries and museums across the country. Most of them start looking for seasonal staff early in the year, so get your applications in quick because competition is plenty. Your duties will vary so check out the criteria before applying.
Doing something resourceful with your summer will put you above heavy competition and inject your CV with a wealth of traits, skills and experiences that’ll catch the eye of future employers. Besides all that, you may meet influential people in the field you plan to enter; having contacts is invaluable in many industries. Choose a job that not only fits in with your career plans, but with your personality and interests too. No matter the type of work you do, you’re sure to walk away with bundles of skills and dozens of memories. The long-term benefits outweigh the shopping you’ll be able to do with the money you earn (imagine!) so have fun on your adventure while keeping it professional and making a memorable impression!
By Mena Farag
