When I was in school I typically started looking for a summer job a couple of days after my exams ended. I always wondered why some people found such terrific jobs while I seemed to have so much trouble.
The best summer jobs I ever had were places where I already had some kind of an in. The first was in my senior year of high school, at a local utility company where my aunt worked. There I earned much better than average income for my age and got some great accounting experience. During my university years I had a summer job with our local school board that I heard about from my next door neighbour who, again, worked for there
But what about when you do not have an in? Yes, I found jobs, but they were not always that great. Having a crummy, low-paying job can not only wreck your summer, but also lead to financial hardship during the school year, I often found myself working 2 or 3 part time jobs throughout the school year to make my rent and tuition payments, never mind having spending money for entertainment.
There are ways that one can avoid such pitfalls. The 3 things I never did, but should have: Plan, network, and start early.
Plan
Some people have terrific summer work experiences that help them in their permanent job search when school is over. While I had some ideas about what I wanted to do when I completed my post-secondary education, I always looked at summer work as a way to get through school, a means to an end, as opposed to a foot in the door when I finished my degree. When I received my BA, I found that most of the jobs I was interested in required some previous experience or credentials I had not managed to get while I was in school. Seems pretty stupid, but I never had a plan, aside from getting a degree, as to how to obtain the career I was interested in. This left me, and many others who graduated during the economic recession at that time, casting about just to get a job never mind a career.
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Network
Being in a school environment affords a student ample opportunity to get information about many career opportunities. Once the summer jobs I found through my aunt and neighbour had ended I felt as though my network of ins had pretty much been exhausted. What I should have been doing was building that network! Interviewing people who had the jobs I was interested in obtaining when I graduated and getting information on the experience and credentials that I would need would have been a giant step forward (this can sometimes even lead to internships or seasonal employment if you make a great impression). Networking with my friends, their parents, my parents’ friends and so on. Joining campus clubs or volunteering my time in areas related to my field of interest would also have been beneficial. High schools guidance departments and post-secondary employment service centres could, and should, be utilized. More than that, there are teachers and professors to speak to. Being shy and just a little bewildered by it all, I failed to develop any connection with my university professors or TAs who could have provided me with valuable resources, including summer work experiences which in turn could have advanced my career aspirations.
Networking can also work in reverse, that is, you might learn what jobs to avoid. The summer prior to my final year of university I opted not to move home because I didn’t want to lose my apartment. There were posters all over campus exclaiming “Work Outside on Boats!” Sounded great to me! Early in May I reported for work at a Toronto yacht club. The job was not that glamorous, it was cold, hard work scrubbing boats that had been stored outside for the winter. We were assured that things would get better as the weather warmed up and after the initial spring cleaning was out of the way. Indeed, it probably was for the young man who had subcontracted the work from the club and the 2 or 3 friends he kept on after laying the rest of us off! There I was, with a lease and no income. Complaining of my misfortune around campus I learned that others were aware of this shady outfit, it is a small world after all! If only I had taken some time to look into the job before committing to it, I would have saved myself a world of trouble.
START EARLY
Planning and networking needs to be happening all the time. As a student I operated under the misconception that I should be focussing solely on achieving good grades. In retrospect, I could and should have given some of my study time (and social time) over to career planning. A person can get so bogged down with their studies (and in my case juggling part-time jobs) that they neglect to do the work that will truly affect their career more than a high grade-point average.
Start early, plan early (understanding that a plan made early will also need to be flexible), network early, and look for summer work EARLY. It never occurred to me that I should be looking for my summer job during the dead of winter. Being fixated on my studies in February led to a great deal of frustration in the spring. The fact is, many summer jobs are advertised in the winter and early spring. Seasonal job fairs take place months before the summer work term and this is when the bulk of hiring will take place.
Does the early bird really catch the worm? While there may be an element of luck involved in job searching, starting early and applying the plan and network approach will improve your odds of landing a great summer job that might just launch your career.
Watch the video related to summer job search
With summer just around the corner, many students and recent grads are still looking for ways to spend their time while getting a meaningful experience. In this video, TalentEgg founder Lauren Friese tells Canadas Next Top Ad Exec finalists about some of the must dos of job hunting. She explains the importance of networking and taking advantage of social media as well as offers a few tips on how you can stand out a get noticed! 1. Cast your net wide and deep * Take stock of tools available to help your with your job search. These can include your network, job boards, Google, your career centre and (of course!) TalentEgg. 2. Broadcast your availability * With tools like Twitter, Facebook, etc., its easy to let your network (and the world) know that youre looking for a job. Even if only one or two well-connected people know that youre looking for work, word can get around to dozens or even hundreds of other people! 3. Show off * Its not enough to say youre available. You have to let everyone know why youd make an excellent helping hand this summer! Leverage the opportunity the web gives you to get outside of your one-dimensional resumé and show off what really makes you a super star! 4. Approach organizations that dont appear to be hiring * Pitch your energy, expertise and willingness to learn to organizations—especially small and medium-sized organizations—even if they dont appear to be hiring. 5. Search outside the lines * Use the summer as an opportunity to try something <b>…</b>
if any of you guys out of school for the summer need to make quick cash for the summer check out /watch?v=pVGGvHLjgT4
I would like to invite you to get my FREE e-book “GET A GREAT JOB FAST!” It’s a new century and a new job hunting dynamic. Lots of free tools and tips to get you working quickly. Got a very good review last weekend. Best wishes in your search. We need to help each other out!
Hey,
Based upon looking at your high school stats, on the whole, you seem in perfect shape.What is your major?What college are you trying to get into?I am pretty sure all those colleges will accept you without a doubt.You seem to be a bright creative young person. Let me know your status regarding if the last 3 colleges accept you?Good Luck, let me know what your where your inclination lies and which specific major you want to embark on, then we can discuss more on further matters!!
Regards,
Shotty
you have some good experience, but you need to present your experience professionally. You should look into finding a suitable resume format – you can search the web or look in Word for resume template.
@nczuma one of my prof’s once said he couldn’t believe that there were so many communication students who didn’t know basic photoshop editing.
I agree that there should definitely be a basic HANDS ON knowledge. Don’t just KNOW about the memes or twitter or the next greatest thing, Try it out, experience it, use it. It reminds me of MTV Hired, where a person was applying for a social media consulting role without ever having used twitter (but she advocated for it to her own clients)
What your parents are doing is really mean.
Sleep well since you have done so well in school. You are an excellent candidate in so many ways.
Your only slight problem is that you area little below the Columbia average SAT score in writing.
Your parents are very proud of you and will continue to be so.
Please write to me when you are admitted./
@billytinkler i don’t think you’re old fashioned at all! I think you’re realistic and your thoughts are legitimate. The internet has provided a far easier forum for people to raise awareness about their own skills, but for people who didn’t have any skills to begin with and aren’t trying to improve on a daily basis, it doesn’t do a thing.
I only have a problem if:
1. They're on here asking who the father is.
2. They're getting a lot of financial help from their parents.
3. They just didn't use any protection. And pulling out doesn't count.
4. They were drunk when it happened. Oooh yay, you drink underage, AND you're pregnant! What winners those kids are.
5. They're under the age of 16.
Not all teens are like you. There are tons of bad teen parents, as well as adults. But it's harder for a teen to provide for their kids, and people say it's not about the money, but money is a huge part of raising a kid. You can't raise a kid on the streets, and make them wear the same clothes until they turn 5, can you? Nah. And in my opinion, you shouldn't be having sex if you're not even of legal working age. If you get knocked up, the first thing you should do is run out and get a job. If they can manage, then more power to 'em.
@SingleActionArmy1990 Making sure they know some meme’s is more of a way for me to weed out people who don’t spend enough time on the net. Honestly, if all he could say is Numa Numa guy, that wouldn’t help his case. I just want to know their exposure.
But that’s just a small part, like you said good communication skills are at the heart of it. Our social media dept doesn’t need to know as much SEO as the link-builders and not as much HTML/CSS as the Dev Dept, but it helps to know a bit.
@billytinkler and about the lawyer situation:
Let’s say there is a talented young lawyer in a firm who was let go due to cutbacks and the firm wanted to stick with their veteran lawyers – he now has a much easier time sharing his credibility online and show off the skills that got him hired in the first place. You have to be smart about it though, especially in law, as there’s a fine line with confidentiality. I’d love to hear some more of your thoughts!
@SingleActionArmy1990 you got it buddy, the tools have changed, but in my humble opinion and young experience so far, networking really hasn’t changed. Being authentic and letting my passion flow has led me to meet some terrific people. Twitter and Facebook have been the starting point for me, but hardly the end point. IMing, and more importantly discussions face to face have truly connected me to many opportunities.
Well, you have a job in your pocket – that is a plus. Keep that job but certainly it would not hurt to look for another – maybe you could find one that pays the same and is what you enjoy.
@TamerlanePNR Pretty much all of them, It’s an internet marketing company.
you have really good parents. obviously they love you very much. you will be a better person for all their good parenting. it may not seem like it now, but when you are older you will see. it is a lot easier as a parent to let your kids run amok then to set rules and curfews etc.
if you feel their rules are too strict, have an adult conversation with them and explain that you are older now and responsible and would like it if they could cut you a little slack.
btw $2.50 a week is ridiculous it is 2010 not 1975!!
Call me old-fashioned, but a tonne of people I know can handle themselves on YouTube or Facebook but are nearly illiterate and incapable of expressing a clear idea. While the internet may promote networking, it does not substitute for basic writing skills and I would never go so far as to say that it helps with all jobs. Find me a lawyer who says he got accepted to his firm because someone saw him “tweet” about his knowledge of Charter rights.
So many good suggestions from Susan
Some more ideas that may inspire :
Reflect on why you consider the person your Best friend.
what are the qualities that you treasure/respect;
what does s/he bring into the friendship that you value;
how has s/he changed your life/perspective/outlook..;
what have you learnt from her/him …..;
what do you feel when s/he is not around…;
how is s/he different from all your other friends [why is s/he your Best friend];
and so on
when you've answered these questions, you'll be able to zero in on the qualities that set her/him apart [in your eyes].
– then you can write about that in your own words, or find some quotations, verses or quips that say it for you. You can even do some in the form of a letter(s). If you know calligraphy, then it would look pretty appealing too
– sometimes you may come across a cartoon strip that seems to reflect your feelings. you could use that too.
– you could have one page [maybe the centerfold, pullout/folded accordion style if required] which is filled completely with just random photos, pics, strips of paper with diff memories/jokes/emails, etc. – a Collage made of stuff that you couldn't fit into any of the other pages, yet would like to add as reminders & memories. You could also glue the stuff in the shape of something that would remind her of you – a shape collage : http://www.shapecollage.com/
– sketches, dried flowers, etc. could also be used
– Add puzzles created especially for her : acrostics, crosswords of words relating to shared memories used as clues ; word search ; ….
– make an Anagram of her name
– maybe you could even burn a Video CD if you have a digital camera?
http://www.ehow.com/how_17021_create-video-scrapbook.html (read the comments below – there is mention of a site that uploads & stores videos)
– you can look for "quirky" friendship quotes & one-liners to mix in with the inspirational ones.
– how about books & movies that you've both enjoyed together? you could pen down the memories or add some pictures of the covers or something about the characters ….
Hope these help too
Have fun