When Students Can’t Find A Summer Job

by Bob Roth
The “College & Career Success” Coach

When you can’t find a summer job, it’s time to rethink your strategy. Although there are many things that students can do, most of them involve hard work. Unfortunately, for some students, that very fact will turn them off. However, you should know that good jobs don’t fall into your lap. You’ll have to get out there and fight for one.

“Don't wait for a light to appear at the end of the tunnel, stride down there and light the bloody thing yourself.” -- Sara Henderson

If you are determined to find a summer job, you will find one. Try the following:

Chamber of Commerce
Visit (don’t call) the office of the local Chamber of Commerce. 1) Ask if any of their members need help for the summer. Post your availability on their bulletin board or put an ad in their newsletter. 2) Obtain a list of their members. Call each and everyone of them. 3) Ask for the names of other Business and Community organizations in your area. Visit them. Call their members.

Go to Your Religious Institution
Ask the office personnel if they know of any parishioner who may need help. Put an ad in their bulletin. Post your availability on their bulletin board.

The Newspaper
Check the employment ads in your local newspaper on a daily basis. Immediately call any possibilities.

Community College
Visit the Career Center at the local Community College. Ask about jobs that have been posted. Check with the Guidance Office at local High Schools. Contact all possibilities

Network
Make a list of everyone you know. Contact them and ask each person if they know any business owners or business professionals. If yes, get their contact information and call them.

Take a Long Walk
If you have had no success with the above strategies, start walking. Start at one end of the street and stop at every shop, store, gas station, restaurant and business along the way. Ask each one if they need help. Keep going until you have a job.

“Continuous effort, not strength or intelligence, is the key to unlocking our potential.” -- Winston Churchill

Just like finding success in life, there is no magic associated with finding a summer job. It just takes a little creativty and a lot of hard work.

“Everything degenerates into work.” -- Peter Drucker

If you are the type of person who sits at home waiting for success (or a summer job) to find you, you will always be disappointed. However, if you are the person who is determined to succeed and is willing to do anything and everything possible to achieve your goal, you will usually come out on top. So, if you can’t find a summer job, it’s time to rethink your strategy for success. When you are determined to find a summer job, you will find one.