Living & Working in Great Places

When and how should we start networks?

Hi! I am a college student who has always wanted to travel abroad for working purposes. I was just wondering how should we go about networking or applying for jobs. I know I probably won't be able to work while I am still in college, but I was wondering how early we should contact employers about our interest, when is too early? If I know I can't work for another 3 summers do we wait until the proceeding winter? Hope this makes sence. Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Keith Larson on June 20, 2009 at 9:50pm: Cala, what type of work are you looking for abroad? Where?

It's not that easy for people from the US to find jobs elsewhere. There are some teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) positions. These are primarily in Asia, but do exist sometimes in South America and infrequently in Europe. Some countries have a similar program to our J-1 visas if you're still in school on your summer break...but you are as likely to spend as much money as you make if not more...be careful. If you graduate with some special degree--usually one of the engineering fields--and a country has a shortage of people working in that specific area you might qualify.

There is also an Antarctica option. If you take and pass all of the rigorous tests involved.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cala Westergard on June 20, 2009 at 9:53pm: I guess I don't really want to travel abroad, I just want to work outside of Iowa, but in the United States. What I would really like to do is work on a guest ranch somewhere I just know that I won't be able to pursue that dream for a couple more years and I was wondering if there was any way I could sort of "get an in" I guess. If that makes sence?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Keith Larson on June 20, 2009 at 10:19pm: Cool. That's easier. I like ranches, I work at one in the winter season in Arizona. Do you ride? If you do...at what level? Mix that with service background and you can be a wrangler. I've met several people with a lot of horse experience...but wranglers actually first deal with people that are dealing with horses.

A lot of ranches mix housekeeping and serving duties...do you have any experience with either? Both? There are some people that have a ton of serving experience that discover they can't stand making beds and cleaning toilets. And vice versa. Then again one of the best operations people I have worked with had only a little professional experience with either...she was actually a prison guard previously.

I'm on the cooking side. Can you cook, bake...any time of day? Inside and outside?

Have you been to many ranches? Sometimes it helps...sometimes it doesn't matter. Probably the best way is to just research the opportunities and gather as much info as you can on the places. If you can visit...or even be a guest at some.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jesse Gooch on October 20, 2009 at 2:57pm: Im interested in the work you were talking about in this post, ie: ranch work. I am by no means skilled with horses but am a fast learner and am an able and competent cook who is willing to do most anything. I understand that the season is starting allready in most places, for various reasons ive not been in a position to travel untill just recently.
Any info about open positions would be greatly appreciated.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kathi on June 30, 2009 at 8:04pm: Why can't you pursue it for a couple more years? Couldn't you work a summer season at a ranch? They all hire seasonal summer staff. Applying anytime after January 1 for summer is good.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cala Westergard on June 30, 2009 at 9:22pm: I would love to start working summers, but I have summer workouts for college basketball. Also, don't employers base a lot of hiring off of the amount of time you can be there? As in if I would have to leave before Labor Day, or something like that.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kathi on July 1, 2009 at 4:00pm: Some of the employers require you to be there for their entire summer season, others are more flexible. You may not be able to get a ranch job, but you may be able to work a shorter season in a National Park or other resort.
All depends when you can start too. So, for example, if you can start in May but can only work till beginning to mid Aug. then you might be able to get a summer job.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kevin Lewis on October 20, 2009 at 6:11pm: I know that playing basketball is fun and all, but college sports is like a vampire that sucks away all your free time. Is it really worth it? When you consider that 25-30 hrs/week during the season will be consumed by it, and then the summer workouts you mentioned, and having to show up for practices weeks before school starts---do you really want to sacrifice all the other life experiences you could be having just to play basketball?

And you're right, by the way--if you can't work at least through Labor Day weekend, most summer seasonal employers won't give you a second glance.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chris on October 20, 2009 at 8:17pm: Are you serious? Maybe she gets a scholarship to play basketball. Education is more important than living in a National Park getting drunk every night.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kevin Lewis on October 21, 2009 at 6:52pm: Basketball=education?

And the experience of getting drunk every night in a National Park can be had without taking the step of getting a job there. But she did say she wanted to work a summer job, and the basketball interfered with that, so it seems like a choice between one or the other--and it's not hard to choose which would be the more beneficial in the long run.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chris on October 22, 2009 at 7:28pm: Exactly...Basketball = Education for most people.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lisa Menezes on June 24, 2009 at 4:53pm: I worked at a dude ranch last summer and I think I applied in March. The best time to apply is probably January or February.; ▶ Reply to This