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When you are a student pretty much everyone tells you the importance of making the most of your summer. Summer internships are, apparently, a great opportunity for personal development and career advancement which should not be ignored. Unfortunately, many of us simply do not take notice of this until it is too late. If you haven’t got the cash saved for a holiday and you do not fancy spending the summer kicking around at home, here are some attractive alternatives.
- Marking Papers
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With examinations coming to a close over the next few weeks, the big exam boards need lots of extra hands to deal with marking papers and other tasks. Often these organisations are seeking bright students or recent graduates for temporary work. Check https://vacancies.aqa.org.uk/ for some opportunities.
- Temporary Hospitality Work
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In summer and throughout the year organisations like Brightsparks in London and Verve People in Manchester are always looking for temporary hospitality staff to work events. After signing up you’ll be given full training and put on a database. You then browse advertised jobs at events (normally waiting and bartending) and express a preference for when you’d like to work. This is ideal if you want to earn some money without committing your whole summer.
- Work at a Music Festival
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If you don’t have to cash to afford a ticket for your festival of choice this summer, stewarding is a great way to experience the music through working. Work varies between festivals, but mainly you’ll be working as a team to ensure the event runs smoothly. Shifts are normally structured in such to allow you time to enjoy the festival. Greenstewards.com is one website that advertises these opportunities— they also offer paid stewarding work at various smaller events throughout the country.
- …or a Comedy Festival
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This is pretty specific to Edinburgh but still pretty exciting if you’re in Scotland. During July and August thousands of people visit Edinburgh for the Fringe Festival, and temporary staff are needed for hospitality, clerical and promotional roles. One way to apply is through The University of Edinburgh’s Students Union (http://www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/jobs/festival); they have recruitment days running mid-May all the way into June.
- Go WWOOF!
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Although not actually an earner, WWOOFing is a way to go abroad and experience a different way of life for very little money. It stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, and is a charity which matches sustainable farms throughout the world with enthusiastic workers. In exchange for your labour you will be given room and board, as well as an education in organic farming. Placements can be anything from a week to several months, and range from harvesting crops in Israel to tending to alpacas in Germany.