Remember when you were a kid and the summer months were nothing but playing and having fun with your friends? At least until the second week of vacation when the boredom hit.
As an adult, the world is a little bigger and we have more opportunities for how we spend our time. Whether you’re a college student looking to save some cash for those oh-so-expensive textbooks for next semester, or someone who’s been working for a little while but isn’t sure what you want to be when you grow up, a summer job can be a nice way to try out some career options.
Here’s why working a temp job this summer might be a good investment in your future.
Gain experience.
Whether it’s a full 40 hours per week or something less than that, just to fill some time, working during the summer helps you learn valuable skills that will help you later. You’ll learn about time management, how to work with others, improve your communication and listening skills and so many other tools that will come in handy down the road. Plus, it’ll help add to your resume and show potential future employers you were responsible and took initiative to work while others might have been slacking off instead.
Build your confidence.
A first job can be a daunting idea. But working even a little bit during the summer can help you become more confident and boost your self esteem. Even if there’s a learning curve and things start out rocky, you’ll see that with practice and paying attention to detail, putting in a little care and concentration can really pay off.
Apply the skills you already have.
If you’re taking classes for a particular career, the summer is a great time to put those skills to work. Companies often will hire temp workers during the summer to help complete projects and might offer credit towards your program. This is a great way to apply what you’re learning in the classroom while also getting a feel for what this kind of work might be like as a career. You can make a great first impression with a potential future employer — or you might find out that this is not the job you thought it was, for better or worse. It’s better to find out now than after you’ve gone so far down a career path that you feel there’s no other option!
Try new things on for size.
If you’ve had some work experience, you might know what you don’t want to do. Working a temporary job in the summer helps you continue to try on new jobs for size to see what you like and what you don’t. Knowing that you’ll only be in a position for a few months eases the stress of permanently committing to an employer or position and allows you to see what you like. If you’re unhappy after a few months, there’s no harm; if you’re sad to leave, maybe you’ve created an opportunity for yourself down the road!
Cold hard cash.
Sadly, nothing in life is free and the cost of everything is on the rise. Working for a few months will help replenish your bank account to pay for books, clothes, food, gas and anything and everything else! Even if you work part-time over the summer, that’s money in your pocket. Whether you want to spend it as it comes in, or try to save some of it for school or a bigger purchase later, having income gives you options and you can pick up some vital money management skills along the way.
Ready to try on a new career? Sterling Personnel is ready to help!
If you’ve been out in the world for a while but want to try something new, or if you’re looking to gain work experience before committing to a career, working a summer job is a great way to explore what you like and what isn’t for you. When you’re ready to make that change, Sterling Personnel has access to some of the best opportunities around! We partner with great companies looking for permanent and temporary workers and will appreciate the help! Who knows, you might impress your way into a great new career after just a few months. Check out our open career opportunities below!
