Living & Working in Great Places

Nancy B.'s Comments

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At 5:26pm on August 21, 2009, akscootr said…: Hi Nancy,

1) My biggest piece of advise is simply to be prepared; Have some cash in the bank to live on. I always make sure to save my $$$ the second I start a seasonal spot until I am comfortable with what I have. 2) Use the KISS principle; Keep it Simple. Life is better when it is simple and uncomplicated (especially when one has too much stuff to lug around). 3) Use your network of friends you will make when working seasonally to land other jobs; Soon you will know people from Argentina to China to Tennessee.... I hope to teach English in China one day just because of the awesome friends I made from Yellowstone this summer. Your friends will be everywhere and they are the BEST job resource. They can set you up with the GOOD jobs and will have your interest at heart more than personell will....
4) Always keep an open mind; You will meet people from all over and tolerance for different ways will make life good. Those with little tolerance should not work seasonally. 5) from an old seasonal employee, "the more you carry in your head, the less you carry on your back". I live by that saying, literally..... That is how I land mom-and
-pop jobs; I know where and when these jobs are available and simply show up in town and start applying. 6) Know the difference between need and want; I lived last summer on a beach in Homer, Alaska in a tent for 4 months with no loss of comfort. No electricity was needed and showers were at work...(this also allowed me to save a ton of cash). 7) Tipped positions are the only jobs that make $$$ in the seasonal world (but they are hard jobs). I am sure that their is more to say and I will when I think of it... You are welcome to write with any questions you have. Good Luck... Craigslist is an excellent job resource as well as Coolworks.com
:0) P.S. Richard the OFI dining room manager?

At 10:04pm on July 15, 2009, Connie said…: Lots of the workers are about our age!

At 7:26pm on July 9, 2009, Janet Nies said…: Hi Nancy, I have known about Cool works for awhile, last year when my daughter decided she was going to join this lifestyle, she was offered several jobs within a week or so. She has been to Glacier Park area twice, and to Vail area over the winter. She is lovin it all!!! My husband and I can't wait to join in on the working... traveling...meeting lots of new people and having new experiences kinda lifestyle. I see in Kari's post about most anyone can drive a bus, but that personality stands out. Very true!. My daughter was recruited to drive as a result of her outstanding customer service and genuine personality. She has several friends who have drive for tour companies in Alaska... Is that what you are pursuing currantly?... How fun!

At 11:32pm on July 6, 2009, Kari Quaas said…: Hi Nancy - I definitely believe that being in the right place at the right time and in the right frame of mind makes all the difference in the world. I've seen drivers who were 21 (usually the minimum age) and up to the mid-70s. The biggest physical requirement is being healthy and passing the DOT physical and the drug test. It really has nothing to do with age, just health. Also, of huge importance to me when I was hiring driver/guides, was personality. If you didn't like to work with people, it's the wrong job for you. We estimated that we could train just about anybody to drive a bus, but couldn't make them be a happy or nice person. Based on what I've seen of you, I think you'd do well. Do know that most of the training in Alaska will start in either January or February so you'll need to watch for the ads starting in October/November or start to call around now to see when they'll be hiring / training. I'm quite sure that the basic schedule have been mapped out already. Best of luck to you! I'm looking forward to hearing your experience going through the process. Driving rules! Kari : )

At 9:54pm on July 1, 2009, Keith Larson said…: I think the Elkhorn Ranch is near Patagonia...I'd really have to look it up again. Kathi from CoolWorks lives in that area. You might be able to ask her some general questions. Good luck!

At 11:53pm on June 29, 2009, Tinabeane said…: Hi Nancy, I have not left my full time job yet to go have fun in the mountains. I still need to save a bit of money and pay off some bills. I'm a Software Consultant and glad that I do get to travel to some great places with my job. That puts a smile on my face. I was in South Rim of the Grand Canyon a few weeks ago and am in New Mexico right now. Flying home tomorrow so I hot it cools off a bid. Good luck with finding a seasonal job, I dream of it every day and that keeps me going.

Keep in touch,

Tina

At 11:29am on June 25, 2009, Janet Nies said…: Hi Nancy, ...Wow your kayak pics are great!.... We have a Hobie Mirage... tho we haven't used it in awhile... Sounds like you've got it all down with the work a bit... and travel...
Our daughter does seasonal work and loves it. She is currently in Montana and will probably head back to Colorado.... Lucky gal...

At 1:27pm on June 16, 2009, Jack Heilgeist said…: I had no experience as a tour guide when I began in Alaska. It was sink or swim and I swam. Yes I do have a permanent place to store my belongings but they are not much, just photos and essential things. I pretty much live on a two year cycle. I work and save for two years then I usually go to europe for an extended stay. I had just finished printing some real estate info about Germany before I logged on to Coolworks. To make it in this lifestyle you need to find a summer and a winter gig.

I've been fortunate since I've found a really good job with Colorado Mountain Express from December through April. Still looking for what I want to do until I return to Colorado in November. One job you may be interested in is driving for the bus service with services Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, Maine from July through October. They are funded by LL Bean and friends of Acadia. You need to get yourself a class c commercial driver's license with a passenger endorsement. don't worry it's not that diffucult. If you are interested in Alaska for next summer check out www.princessjobs.com. They usually begin hiring for Alaska in November. The website is self explainatory and there is lot's there from which to choose. Enjoy your upcoming job!

At 8:05pm on June 2, 2009, Julie said…: THANK YOUUUUU!

At 1:10pm on May 17, 2009, aggie71 said…: Thanks for the friend invite Nancy...nice to hear from a Bulwinkle & Rocky fan like me....I loved that show! Remember Boris & Natasha? They probably wouldn't be politically correct these days but they really cracked me up. Anyhow I am dieing to work in Alaska in 2010 and will be applying everywhere in hopes of getting an offer. I have been told that MPL hires a ton of seasonal help each summer. We might end up the same place....ya never know. If you are anywhere close to Yellowstone this summer come see me at Bridge Bay Marina...you can show me how to kayak :-)

At 3:37pm on May 8, 2009, SUE DANCEY said…: breakfast, which is what I work, is buffet. So only heavy lifting is bus tubs. And bussers are supposed to do those, although they usually don't know it till we tell them

At 8:29pm on April 30, 2009, Kari Quaas said…: Hey Nancy,

Did you find us via Twitter? Your profile pic looks familiar. ; ) Ditto what Bill said, it looks like you've had some really cool experiences in your life.

Welcome,
Kari

At 11:17am on April 30, 2009, Bill Berg said…: Welcome Nancy,

You've had some really interesting jobs. Are you coming to Yellowstone this summer?