Dare to Work Differently!
20 May 2015
Read by 3297 persons
After a memorable winter for its harshness and interminable length, here is the fine weather that is finally showing up!
For many workers, the mild weather carries the promise of summer holidays and with them, that of a temporary idleness more often than not well deserved after a year of work. For others, on the contrary, the summer period marks the return to work after study sessions or other forms of seasonal work. This article is dedicated to the second of these situations and is intended to be a light exploration of employment possibilities somewhat off the beaten track...for the duration of a summer!
The attraction of nature
I increasingly often hear people tell me that they dream of working outdoors and that they have a near-total allergy to working in closed offices, in an urban environment. For them, the fresh air is necessary and working "outside" is far from frightening them. For them, therefore, why not consider, for the months of good weather, seasonal jobs in nurseries, public markets, agricultural farms and landscaping companies? These are so many opportunities to experience a job that may require either sustained physical effort for heavy work or the skill required for customer service and sales.
For others who want to try their hand at more independent work, it may be interesting to offer their services for lawn and garden maintenance, window washing, building painting and other work related to residential maintenance. The adventure will make it possible to assess their ability to find contracts (especially if they are thinking of regular maintenance), to meet customer expectations, to organize their schedule efficiently and profitably and to decide whether entrepreneurship is their cup of tea!
And if working the land is not in your vocational interests...well, there are many other possibilities, including recreational-tourism jobs such as those of hiking or coach guides accompanying tourists eager to discover new spaces and places.
Working abroad
The saying goes that "travel broadens the mind!" Perhaps it is worth its weight in gold when you are young and looking for a summer job that will satisfy an appetite for discovering the world and a more modest financial need. Jobs abroad can then be an excellent option. Working at Disney World in Paris or Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas...what could be more exotic and attractive? Of course, it's a think-it-over because there are costs to the adventure...but don't they also say that "nothing ventured, nothing gained!" You may not come back with gold bars in your pockets, but the adventure will undoubtedly contain its share of wealth calculated in a very different way.
Others may prefer work in the vast field of hospitality or passenger transport by train or plane. Seasonal jobs in these areas may suit the varied skills of many young workers.
And if you want to sing while working or dance to "Oh les mains!", there are always the G.O. positions in Club Med around the world where you can give your all in your work...morning, noon and night!
Giving of oneself above all
For adventurers motivated by altruism first and foremost, there are many opportunities to do humanitarian work abroad. The pay won't be huge...maybe nothing...but the rewards in terms of human relationships, learning a foreign language, and learning about the customs of other countries will be multiple and imperishable.
Feeling on vacation at work!
For some people, who invest heavily in their studies, summer work must also have a playful aspect, in order to recharge batteries that otherwise risk running out when school starts again in September. Summer jobs in environments dedicated to relaxation and leisure will be very attractive for the latter. There is a wide range of jobs in these environments that are more than happy to welcome young workers. Examples include jobs at large fairs and amusement parks such as La Ronde in Montreal. These places are full of varied seasonal positions where many will find what they are looking for: either in the food, entertainment, sales or customer service sectors.
We should also add the many jobs in slightly more off-the-beaten-track environments such as those found in zoos where contact is not limited to humans but can also be with exotic animals! For more conservative people, jobs in the many museums, so busy in the summer, could be excellent choices. And what about all the jobs in tourist information centres, which are so many possibilities for those who want to serve visitors from all over the world.
Broadening your horizons!
No matter what summer job you choose, it's an opportunity to add valuable links to your work experience. It's a chance, somewhat unique because it's more time-limited, to explore workplaces where you wouldn't necessarily consider making a career, but where you know you'll develop transferable skills.
And let's be frank and say the real thing: summer work, why not make it an opportunity to explore, have some fun, and enjoy yourself while earning some money!
Monster.ca
Posted online May 20, 2015.
For many workers, the mild weather carries the promise of summer holidays and with them, that of a temporary idleness more often than not well deserved after a year of work. For others, on the contrary, the summer period marks the return to work after study sessions or other forms of seasonal work. This article is dedicated to the second of these situations and is intended to be a light exploration of employment possibilities somewhat off the beaten track...for the duration of a summer!
The attraction of nature
I increasingly often hear people tell me that they dream of working outdoors and that they have a near-total allergy to working in closed offices, in an urban environment. For them, the fresh air is necessary and working "outside" is far from frightening them. For them, therefore, why not consider, for the months of good weather, seasonal jobs in nurseries, public markets, agricultural farms and landscaping companies? These are so many opportunities to experience a job that may require either sustained physical effort for heavy work or the skill required for customer service and sales.
For others who want to try their hand at more independent work, it may be interesting to offer their services for lawn and garden maintenance, window washing, building painting and other work related to residential maintenance. The adventure will make it possible to assess their ability to find contracts (especially if they are thinking of regular maintenance), to meet customer expectations, to organize their schedule efficiently and profitably and to decide whether entrepreneurship is their cup of tea!
And if working the land is not in your vocational interests...well, there are many other possibilities, including recreational-tourism jobs such as those of hiking or coach guides accompanying tourists eager to discover new spaces and places.
Working abroad
The saying goes that "travel broadens the mind!" Perhaps it is worth its weight in gold when you are young and looking for a summer job that will satisfy an appetite for discovering the world and a more modest financial need. Jobs abroad can then be an excellent option. Working at Disney World in Paris or Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas...what could be more exotic and attractive? Of course, it's a think-it-over because there are costs to the adventure...but don't they also say that "nothing ventured, nothing gained!" You may not come back with gold bars in your pockets, but the adventure will undoubtedly contain its share of wealth calculated in a very different way.
Others may prefer work in the vast field of hospitality or passenger transport by train or plane. Seasonal jobs in these areas may suit the varied skills of many young workers.
And if you want to sing while working or dance to "Oh les mains!", there are always the G.O. positions in Club Med around the world where you can give your all in your work...morning, noon and night!
Giving of oneself above all
For adventurers motivated by altruism first and foremost, there are many opportunities to do humanitarian work abroad. The pay won't be huge...maybe nothing...but the rewards in terms of human relationships, learning a foreign language, and learning about the customs of other countries will be multiple and imperishable.
Feeling on vacation at work!
For some people, who invest heavily in their studies, summer work must also have a playful aspect, in order to recharge batteries that otherwise risk running out when school starts again in September. Summer jobs in environments dedicated to relaxation and leisure will be very attractive for the latter. There is a wide range of jobs in these environments that are more than happy to welcome young workers. Examples include jobs at large fairs and amusement parks such as La Ronde in Montreal. These places are full of varied seasonal positions where many will find what they are looking for: either in the food, entertainment, sales or customer service sectors.
We should also add the many jobs in slightly more off-the-beaten-track environments such as those found in zoos where contact is not limited to humans but can also be with exotic animals! For more conservative people, jobs in the many museums, so busy in the summer, could be excellent choices. And what about all the jobs in tourist information centres, which are so many possibilities for those who want to serve visitors from all over the world.
Broadening your horizons!
No matter what summer job you choose, it's an opportunity to add valuable links to your work experience. It's a chance, somewhat unique because it's more time-limited, to explore workplaces where you wouldn't necessarily consider making a career, but where you know you'll develop transferable skills.
And let's be frank and say the real thing: summer work, why not make it an opportunity to explore, have some fun, and enjoy yourself while earning some money!
Monster.ca
Posted online May 20, 2015.
