Unemployed? Consider Getting a Summer Job

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Mowing lawns used to be something that enterprising teenagers did to make extra money. Now, the economy is leading many adults to seek those jobs.
Mowing lawns used to be something that enterprising teenagers did to make extra money. Now, the economy is leading many adults to seek those jobs. (Paul Sancya/AP Photo)

Remember the summer of your youth spent earning cash working at your local amusement park or mowing your neighbors' lawns? Maybe you worked in a retail store for a little extra cash so you could hit the mall with your friends.

Well, since the recession has claimed several jobs this year, many adults are finding themselves back in those summer jobs they once had as teens.

With the national unemployment rate reaching 10%, summer resorts and other seasonal employers nationwide have an influx of resumes and applications coming in from jobless adults, according to MSNBC.com. And many of these unemployed workers may find themselves in jobs they thought they'd never have to do again.

"The demographics of this year's summer workforce is going to change into more well-educated, semi-retired people in crunches, [or] people happy to be employed," Patty Ceglio Bishoff, director of operations of Coolworks.com, said in the MSNBC.com report.

The flood of overqualified workers coming into these jobs has been a boon for employers in the resort and recreation industry. These industries can hire workers with a strong work ethic and sense of discipline.

"From the standpoint of being able to hire efficiently, hire the right people, it's been the best year in a long time," Ken Smith, director of Red Jacket Resorts, told MSNBC.

"I have to force them to take a break," Cindy Buziak, owner of Holly Beach Hotel in New Jersey, said in the report.

What's more, many employers plan to expand their amount of new hires to employ more hard-working adults.

Even though a summer job is temporary, it's a great way for transitioning service members to ease back into the civilian workforce. Transitioning military members, service members, retirees and veterans already have the strong work ethic and discipline many of these seasonal employers look for.

Picking up a job, such as mowing your neighbors' lawns or providing child care, could turn into an entrepreneurial opportunity to start your own landscaping or day-care business.

If you want to find out more about seasonal employment, visit Military.com's Veterans Career Network. You can connect with a veteran who may have contacts in the recreation or resort industry, or get advice about how to make the most of your summer job.

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