Looking for jobs that fit around a college schedule is always difficult. Even when you do find one, most don’t pay enough to make the added stress seems worth it. I’ve been working in the tourism industry in Alaska for the last six years and let me tell you it has been highly rewarding. Here are five reasons that Alaska Tourism makes the perfect summer job for college students.
- You can show off the great state we live in
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Many tourists have a life-long dream of seeing Alaska. In my years of greeting guests at the airport, I’ve met dozens that have saved for years just to spend a week enjoying what Alaska has to offer. Most of the guests you’ll meet are grateful, kind and so excited that it rubs off on you!
I cannot count the number of times I’ve met cute, elderly couples who were completely beside themselves just to be here. I love to show off our unique state and tell people the best ways to see Alaska. Whether it’s going to Girdwood, stopping by museums, or taking a flight-tour to Denali, Alaska does not disappoint.
- You’ll hop off that “broke college student” stigma
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In Alaska, we only get tourists for about four months. Meaning there are plenty of seasonal jobs that need to be filled and work that needs to be done. The amount of overtime tourism workers do is a frequently discussed topic in any tourism office. And overtime in most workplaces means getting time-and-a-half pay.
Basically, if you’re willing to put in the hours, you can get paid much more than you think. For example, if your wage is $10 an hour and you’re on overtime hours, you could be getting paid $15 an hour. It’s nothing to scoff at especially if you average 20 hours of overtime per week. What’s great about this industry is that bosses aren’t afraid to give you overtime work.
Remember tourism jobs are in the hospitality circle as well. This can mean you bring in tips on top of your hourly wage. Tips can be a great way to know you’re doing a great job and to fill your pockets a little bit more!
The fact that it’s seasonal does mean that once September rolls around you’re out of a job for the winter. You won’t be getting any income during school, but if you save right, most of the time you don’t need a winter job after a summer season of work. I can pay for a whole winter’s worth of rent, food and textbooks with a summer’s pay. This allows more time to focus on school!
- You may experience Alaska like a tourist— and it’s fun
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Some jobs in Alaska allow you to be a guide for outdoor activities. You can take tourists on hikes up Mount Alyeska, or on rafting trips down Six Mile Creek. You can go on glacier kayak trips and get paid to do it! Living an outdoor adventurous life is easy here, why not get paid for it?
You can start how I did, working at the airport greeting guests from all over the world and checking in those same people for cruises! You can be a tour director or a bus driver for tours off of cruise ships.
You can work on the train and see the beautiful landscapes from Seward to Fairbanks. A fun way to boast about Alaska is to commentate on it as you go! Guests love to be told fun facts about Alaskans, the wildlife and the scenery around them. On top of getting to see all those amazing things, you get to share stories with a train full of interested people!
- You gain professional and communication skills while boosting your resume
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It can be stressful to even think about going in for an interview or calling someone on the phone. I’m a naturally shy person and I used have a hard time even calling my doctor for an appointment. However, after seasons of working in tourism, I’ve learned how to be more open in conversations, unafraid to reach out to people and how to get respect for myself from others. If you are worried about entering a field consisting of meeting strangers and entertaining them, don’t be.
The thing I always told myself was, “You’ll never see these people again, so why not try to start a conversation?” So, I did! Even if you have an embarrassing conversation, you learn from it and move forward. I’ve learned how to have really in-depth conversations in a short amount of time. Most people like to talk about themselves, so asking questions like “Where are you from?” and “How long was your flight?” They are excellent conversation starters! If you put yourself out there, you’re bound to learn more. Bonus— it looks great on future resumes.
- Tourist season aligns perfectly with Summer Break
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The main thing employers want to know is what your start and end dates are. The earlier you can start and the later you stay, the more hirable you are. University of Alaska dates work pretty well with the tourism season. And if you can work around school for a week or two, even better!
A lot of Alaska tourism jobs are hiring now! The season starts up in April/May, so most employers want to have a finalized list of employees by March at the very latest. A majority of places hiring only have a certain amount of “full-time” positions. The earlier you apply; the better chance you have of getting a job with better hours.
Tourism is a great place to start working, so if you’ve never had a job before, don’t fret! Many people are just starting out in the workforce as well. If you are earnest, respectful and energetic, tourism is a great fit for you!
Here is a short list of places you can apply to for seasonal positions. Trust me, there are a lot more companies than just this. Don’t be afraid to do a little searching of your own!
Alaska Railroad: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/alaska?department[0]=Alaska%20Railroad%20Corporation
Alaska Wildland Adventures: https://www.alaskawildland.com/employment/index
Holland America Princess: https://www.alaskatourjobs.com/current-job-openings/
K2 Aviation: https://www.flyk2.com/vendors/employment/
Kenai Fjords Tours:https://www.coolworks.com/kenai-fjord-tours/profile
Major Marine Tours: https://majormarine.com/about-us/employment/
Premier Alaska Tours: http://www.premieralaskajobs.com
Rusts Flying Service: https://www.flyrusts.com/employment/
Salmon Berry Travel & Tours: https://www.salmonberrytours.com/about
Wilderness Express: http://www.wildernessexpressrail.com/summer-jobs/