Student Summer Jobs
Student summer jobs are not only help you earn extra cash but make your summer holiday an experience to remember. There are many jobs you can undertake whether you are a student from London, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Manchester, Glasgow, Bristol or any other part of the UK.
Most summer jobs will be of a part time temporary nature and include all the usual favourites such as bar and restaurant work. However the great thing about the summer is that different companies have their peak season especially in the tourism industry so you'll get to work outside as well.
Summer and Winter Jobs Abroad
Of course you can go abroad during your summer or winter vacation and there are many opportunities for temporary work during this time. People are still holidaying abroad despite the economic downturn and these overseas jobs are normally advertised from March onwards so you need to be on the lookout if you want a job abroad.
Types of Summer Jobs Available
There are many summer jobs available for students and those that hunt them down will have a good
6 to 8 weeks of gainful employment. You'll see all the major operators advertising online well
before the season starts as they have to recruit people and provide the relevant training.
- Club reps - Perhaps one of the greatest jobs is to become a holiday rep so long as your university breaks up on time as the season is quite long. It's very hard work and you'll have a long day and be expected to sell excursions and other extras to paying guests as this is where the holiday companies make most of their money (but of course you'll be paid a commission on any sales you make).
- Campsites and holiday villages - there are many camp sites dotted around the UK and Europe that need your help and they employ thousands of temporary staff each year. They need help with the hospitality side of the business as well as more mundane tasks like cleaning premises.
- Cruise ship jobs - perhaps not widely thought about at first but the cruise industry is huge. There are many cruises close to home that go out for a week around the Mediterranean or Scandinavia or even Ireland. The jobs available are varied from back room staff in the kitchens or cleaning or front of house staff to greet guests and solve their problems to entertainment staff.
- Farming and gardening work - there are major farms that need their crops picked and packed during the summer months and crops ripen earlier in southern england because it's warmer! Farms also have work keeping their site clear such as cutting hedges, mucking out an feeding animals and some run a small B&B so there may be work there. Additionally of course local councils and private homes always need gardens cleared so maybe you could set yourself up and go door to door offering that service.
- Domestic jobs - when the days are long and warm you can easily go knocking door to door where you live and asking people for odd jobs if you are fit and healthy. The most obvious is mentioned above with gardening work but you could also wash cars and clean windows in houses.
- Hospitality jobs - most people get jobs in restaurants and bars during the summer. The areas that have most work are where people take holidays and these are all around the UK.
- Events and Exhibitions - many major event occur during the summer months as well as exhibitions at the major centres in Birmingham and London. They should post jobs well in advance and include setting up stands and well as working in the hospitality tents.
- Summer Camps - most of these are in the USA but some are in the UK. Many of the roles involve teaching a sport such as tennis, sailing, swimming or even waterskiing. Of course general staff are also required to help run the camps such as maintenance staff for gardens, kitchen staff, lifeguards, transportation, medical staff and administration positions. Really a summer camp can be the most rewarding experience you can get and you help the kids develop as well.
- Teaching English - Even in the UK there are many associations that want people to teach english to new entrants. If you are studying english language or teaching this could be a great way to put your skills to the test and earn some good money.
Summer Job Pay Rates
Like most of these jobs as they are of a temporary nature you'll likely only be paid the minimum wage unless they require specific skills. Most will provide you with a uniform and free meals whilst you are working.
Qualifications for Summer Jobs
Qualifications will vary depending on the vacancy you are applying for. Non skilled jobs won't require too much but if for example you are teaching you'll need to show some form of formal qualification. When searching online you'll see what companies require so it's up to you if you match their requirements.
Searching and Applying for Jobs
Most companies will post their vacancies online these days so it's best to pop
over to google and search for "summer jobs". All the jobs will show you what
skills and qualifications are required and how to apply for the position. It's likely
you'll need an up to date CV to show any work experience to date. As most of the positions
are people related you'll need to show that you can work as part of a team. Some of
the online job search engines are here
Good luck getting a summer job as a student and let us know if we can help further