Summer is approaching quickly, which means many students will begin looking for jobs. Instead of looking for a job at In-N-Out or in an office, look outdoors. There are many fun outdoor jobs that are seasonal and geared toward college students.
Seasonal outdoor jobs are perfect for college students and can often be the therapeutic release from school that many students are looking for.
Many jobs will even provide a place for you to stay free of charge.
Just ask college student and River Rafting Guide on the Lower Stanislaus River, Will Haskell-Kelly (sophomore, Undeclared).
Haskell-Kelly now works as a river rafting guide in the summers while he goes to Columbia Community College. He lives for free as a camp host at the local camp ground in Knights Ferry.
“I love my job man,” Haskell-Kelly said. “I wake up, take a bath in the river and start my day of fun in the sun!”
River rafting jobs are all over California, including Knights Ferry, Sacramento and Tahoe.
There are even jobs where you just lay out and take pictures of the rafters floating by all day.
Becoming a park aide is another way to spend your summer outdoors.
California State University, Stanislaus credential student Louise Webb has worked at the California State Parks in Lake Tahoe for six summers and is currently a Senior Park Aide. She works at three parks all on the west shore: Sugar Pine Point, D.L. Bliss and Emerald Bay. Webb sells day-use parking for the beaches and campsites, and she also provides information about the area for tourists.
“It’s nice to get out of the valley for the summer and beat the heat for some cool Tahoe weather,” Webb said.
Another cool job for the summer is working at a marina.
Louise’s sister Andrea Webb (sophomore, History) works as a Customer Service Representative/Dock Attendant at Action Watersports of Lake Tahoe, renting out beach toys, boats and equipment.
“I basically lay out and get a tan all day on the lake,” Webb said. “It’s great.”
There are lakes all over California which need seasonal marina workers.
There are also jobs available in the Family Camp at Yosemite, which is put on by the city of San Jose. If you would like to spend the summer hiking and enjoying Yosemite, this might catch your interest. Positions available are: Program Director, Recreation Counselor and Open Water Lifeguard. There are also food service positions as well as Faculty Manager, Business Manager and Store Manager Positions available at the Family Camp.
The point is that there are great jobs geared toward college students that are fun, provide great pay and a mental release.
So get out there and look on the internet, contact people and network for a fun job outside! And most importantly, have a great summer.