So technically, I would be what you would call a 'seasonal employee', I travel to tourist driven cities/towns during their busy season and then when the season ends, I move on. Most of these towns' businesses hire employees specifically for their busy time, and then let them go at the end. A season typically lasts 4-5 months depending on where you go. You will make the majority of your money during this time, which means working your butt off during work days. Ideally, I prefer to work 4 days in row, all double shifts, so that I can have 3 days off in a row to go explore and enjoy the beautiful place I am currently in, which is the whole point right?
After the season is over, I take a month off. This is not something you have to do obviously, but I use that 3-4 weeks to spend time with family and friends before moving on to my next destination! So here is a typical 12 month period for me:
May: month off
June-September: Summer Season
October: month off
November-April: Winter season
Rinse. Repeat.
I know that is very vague, but it is pretty much the pattern I follow.
Arches National Park
How do I chose where to go?
Well, its a much easier question than you think, where do you WANT to go? You need to know your preferences: Do you enjoy living in the snow or would you rather stay in more warm moderate climates? Do you enjoy the mountains, beach, high desert, etc? Then, take those answers and research tourist areas within those parameters. For example, if you are looking for a destination for the summer season, the more north you go the cooler it will be. I always go to higher altitude mountain towns during the summer, its absolutely beautiful and I'm not sweating my ass off. Places I have gone are Whitefish, Montana and Lake Tahoe, California. Same goes for the winter season, but reverse. I prefer to be closer to sea level, so that I'm not then freezing my ass off. But, I highly recommend braving the snow. There are many breathtaking ski resort towns where you can earn great money, and most of the time you get a free ski pass as well.
ALSO, one of the FIRST things I look for during my summer destination search is where the National Parks are. So many people go through life not even taking a footstep into one, and it really is a shame. During my days off is when I pack up my overnight pack, plan out a backpacking trip, and set off into the wilderness. It is a feeling I cannot describe to you. You will learn more about yourself whilst you are in nature, in your most primitive state, than anywhere else. My favorites include:
Glacier National Park (Montana)
Yosemite Nation Park (California)
Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)
Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)
Arches National Park (Utah)
Campsite, Yosemite National Park
Where do I work?
This is the part that is the most limiting. You must be willing to work in customer service, because your money is going to be coming from tourists. For example if you're a total ass and hate working with people, then this will be a problem for you and I highly recommend some soul searching. Anyways, there are still a good number of options you have, you just have to decide what interests you. I chose to work as a server. It is where you will make the most money and a monkey can do it. I have been doing it for a decent amount of time, so I am able to work in the more fine dining restaurants. I am a firm believer that EVERYONE should work in a restaurant at some point, but that is just my opinion. Some people just can't hack it. You're on your feet all day, dealing with all walks of people, including amazing people and people who were sent from the bowels of hell. BUT the money is usually very good, like make your rent in 2 nights good. However there are many other jobs such as retail, tour guiding, sports activities, hotel positions, etc. Also, sometimes I work 2 jobs, sometimes 1 depending on how many shifts they are willing to give me.
Keep in mind that this is not your life career, your seasonal job is simply how you pay your bills and add to your savings. You will only be working there a few months, so don't freak out if it isn't your dream job, because it won't be. You definitely want to enjoy your job, but its not going to be rainbows all the time, its the service industry so it can't be but I personally enjoy it. I get to meet people from all over the world and you just never know who is going to walk through the door.
I really hope I am explaining this well, I know its a lot of information and seems a little crazy, but that is why its so exciting!!! We only get one life. I will continue lining out more details in my next post including getting a place to live, how to search for a job, and how to be smart financially. Please do ask me questions, I know we just started this blog and there' are probably only 5 of you reading this but if this can benefit even just 1 person I'd be absolutely thrilled : )
Morning Glory Pool, Yellowstone Ntl. Park
Remember, you are beautiful!
XO Amanda
No comments :
Post a Comment