Put Your Foot in the Water with These Great Summer Jobs

If you’re in college, you likely encounter the same question every year: How do you spend the summer? Most college students use their summers to make money or gain valuable professional experience through internships. Unfortunately, these options rarely intersect; the most available summer jobs are often not in the fields you want to work, and internships are rarely well-paid. If, however, you want to become a travel guide, you’re in luck: there are several great summer job options that will put you closer to your professional goals while simultaneously allowing you to save. Here are our favorites.

National Parks—National Park jobs are seasonal, widely available, and perfect for students. Workers can take advantage of free bus rides into the park, low-cost employee housing, and an employee meal plan. Jobs for students can vary from trail workers to geoscience research, so you’ll have to hone your search on a particular park. This will provide you with valuable travel and outdoors experience, which are necessary for most travel guide jobs.

Rafting Companies—In most positions with rafting companies, you will be given the responsibility of providing a tour. It might not include the recounting of historical and geological information, but you will be in charge of the safety of the people in your raft. Travel guide companies love to see this type of experience. Plus, working for rafting companies means you’ll get to spend the summer outside. Even if you’re not a guide, working in customer service, food service, dispatch, and transportation all involve skills travel companies value.

Outdoor Gear Shops—These positions provide both customer service experience and knowledge of travel equipment. You’ll learn valuable tricks for when you’re finally out on tour, and you’ll get some great employee discounts to stock up on equipment and tools for your eventual career.

AMS Hut Crew/Member—The Appalachian Mountain Club runs dozens of huts throughout the Appalachian Trail. These huts run by knowledgeable college students who love the outdoors and providing tours to other outdoor enthusiasts. A position at one of these huts will allow you to hone your travel skills while practicing your tour voice; most huts include an educational element wherein crew members give classes and lectures about the area and environment.