The time is here, the time is now. The air of summer is nibbling at the ears of millions of college kids across the nation, and a rising hum of anticipation is heard among a student populace itching for a change of season, a change of pace, a change of something...
One thing is for certain. There will be long lists and long lines, not of enrollment but of young people eager to land the summer job or internship of their dreams. What better way to spend the summer than earning while learning, and having lots of fun?
Plan.
Before starting out on your quest for gainful employment, take a long hard look at how you really want to spend your summer. What are you interested in and what type of work will you be happy doing? How many hours are you willing to give each day? Are you in this to have fun, or money? Are you doing this for future career experience? If so, which kind? Career assessment tools will help you narrow down your choices in your search for the perfect summer job.
You'll also have to ask yourself where you might want to work. On campus? Off campus? Out of state? In another country? Yes, it is possible. There are various opportunities for those who know where to look.
Act quickly.
Don’t wait until classes actually end for the search to begin. By that time, all the coveted gigs will have been landed by the most enterprising early birds.
Ask for help.
The Career Services Office in your college is a good source of information, advice and valuable resources to jumpstart you on your way to becoming part of the summer workforce. Websites like NetMentors.Org will connect you with people who can guide you in your job hunt. Don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Search.
Keep your eyes peeled for want ads in newspapers and community bulletin boards which on any given day have full-time or part-time work prospects. The Career Services Office can provide you with job listings in different areas of interests. Try the business and service directory at your local Chamber of Commerce for interesting leads to where you might want to work.
Browse for summer jobs, internships, summer camp jobs, and even part-time job websites. Sites like groovejob.com, The Job Box, JobDoggy.com, MyFirstPaycheck.com, MyFuture.com, Snag A Job, Student Part-time Jobs, Summer Jobs, and TeenJobSection.com are excellent resources for summer job seekers. You can land fun summer gigs that may come with free meals, discounts, and hold your breath… even free hotel accommodations!
It helps to pound the pavement looking for those ‘Help Wanted’ signs, applying in person, and completing applications where jobs are available. Some employers don't advertise job openings, ask anyway.
Spread the word.
Tell all your family, friends and acquaintances that you’re in the market for some serious summer employment. Networking is one of the most effective ways to land a gig.
There are lots of choices.
Are you the outdoorsy type who loves to hike a trail or camp in the wilderness? You can be a camp counselor. Although the pay may not be that high, if you enjoy working with children and have special skills to share, like crafts, theater, a sport, or arts, you will have an easier time landing this type of job.
If you love travel and the great outdoors, national and state parks are always on the lookout for seasonal park rangers or hiking guides. The National Park Service hires over 3,000 summer workers annually to staff 370 parks all over the country, including Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands. These jobs usually entail free room and board, and are usually snapped up pretty fast. You can get a list of parks in your area and their addresses from the Federal and State Departments of the Interior.
You can travel the world on cruise ships, but be prepared to work long and hard hours. You can also enjoy long road trips like college kids who get paid 35 cents a mile to deliver specialty or recreational vehicles, such as RVs and vans from the manufacturing plants to car dealerships. Summer is a busy time for over 3,800 transportation companies like Horizon Transport or Morgan Driveaway, and what do you know, peak season for these dealers coincides with summer vacation. Have a driver’s license? You can travel coast-to-coast and deliver vehicles for big bucks.
Construction work takes a lot of effort and energy but the pay is high, and if you want to work in the food industry, you needn't settle for the common waiter or waitress. There are lots of other flexible positions like cashier, cook, bartender, busperson, dishwasher, host or hostess, and even manager. While these jobs are easier to land, some jobs require previous experience, like being a bank teller or working in a banking firm. For these much coveted positions, you'll need to send in your resumes much earlier in the year.
Another summer staple are amusement parks which beef up their staff every summer to fill positions for booth operators, grounds assistants, security, ride operators and commission stand handlers. Apart from the pay, employees may even be entitled to free park admission for family or guests, and discounts on merchandise sold on the premises.
Do you see your future in public service? Apply as an intern for summer government jobs in your state. You can visit your local State Employment Office or submit your resumes at the Federal Agency where you wish to work. Remember that the search for internship positions in the government is very competitive.
Pay and hours for jobs in health care may vary depending on whether you choose to work as a clinic receptionist, a lab technician, a dietitian's assistant, or take a custodial post in a nursing home. Museum and library internships will usually gain you a stipend, but there are paid positions available that are filled even before the first quarter of the year is out. You’ll need to act quickly if you want a shot at these jobs.
Try working in retail over the summer. Stores, malls and other retail outlets will usually rehire their summer workers during peak seasons like the holidays. Plus, as an employee, you get to enjoy discounts on the merchandise. The local community theater will always have room for summer job seekers, from acting, to backstage work, to publicity.
If you prefer to be the boss, think about starting your own business. Vive le entrepreneur! Hire out your skills as a landscape artist, t-shirt designer, dog-sitter, website engineer, lifeguard, caterer, house painter… The list is endless for the young and enterprising summer entrepreneur.
Get set: Applications and Interviews
Now that you've set your sights on your target, or targets, as the case may be, get ready to get into the nitty-gritty of making that job yours. The first and most important thing you have to do is research. Know more about your prospective employer, the history of the business, even its company mission.
Summer job? Absolutely! Not only will this make good practice for your future in the workforce after graduation, it’ll help you prep for the interview, and impress your soon-to-be boss on how well-equipped you are to start the job. Search the Web about your prospective employer, get a hold of company newsletters or fliers, make friends with people who already work there, and ask around.
Create your resume and cover letter. There are websites with step-by-step guides on you write your resume. Your college's Career Service Office (CSO) may even have a copy of How to Write a Resume and Cover Letter. Also, don't worry about it if you happen to have limited "previous work experience." Everyone has to start somewhere.
When applying online for a job, always remember to attach your resume. If you’re walking in yourself, have your resume on hand. Don’t forget to have a list of references from your previous work, even if it’s from a baby-sitting or volunteer job.
While employers usually don't require an interview to hire someone over the summer, be prepared to do a dialog with your future boss about your work history and how it may have helped prepare you to do the job you're angling for. Practice an interview set-up with your career counselor, or with your friends. It will build your confidence for the actual thing.
Look the part. Whether you’ll be interviewed or not, make sure you dress appropriately: neatly and tidy. Try not to look like you’re auditioning for a bit part in a zombie B-movie.... unless of course, you actually are.
Remember that small gestures always count to make a great impression. Send a 'thank-you' note after the interview. It'll keep you in the employer's mind longer, and score more points in your favor.
Got the job? Congratulations!
Keep one foot in the future by asking your boss for a written reference at the end of your summer job or internship. It will make a great addition to your growing resume.
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