Ditch the hot café – try these summer jobs

Finding a great job can be hard. Sometimes you just settle for what you can get.

Next thing you know, you’re washing dishes in a steaming hot café while your friends are living it up in fun jobs.

This summer, consider your options more carefully.

A great job doesn’t necessarily mean lots of money or respect, but it can mean a more enjoyable summer, or a step closer toward your dream career.

Kate Mehan switched careers at a young age. Photo: AustralianSuper

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Kate Mehan, winner of the Victorian Young Achiever – AustralianSuper Career Kick Start Award for 2015 knows this better than anyone, having quit her job as a copywriter to take up her true passion.

“I enrolled at the Floral Art School of Australia and started studying floristry after hours,” said Ms Mehan.

“I fell in love with it and started making fresh floral headpieces for weddings and spring racing.”

This eventually led to Ms Mehan opening her own floral studio, Mary Mary. She has put her award prize money towards a delivery van for the business.

Nominations for the 2016 Young Achiever Awards have already opened – click here for details.

In the meantime; check out these inspiring summer jobs below:

Get outdoors

Simply working in the fresh air can totally change your outlook on a job.

Lifeguards can knock off and go for a swim. Photo: Shutterstock

There’s nothing worse than staring longingly at a sunny outside world when you’re stuck in a long shift indoors. Here are some outdoor job ideas: 

Pool Life Guard: Can you picture it? Soaking up the sun by the pool while happy swimmers stay safe, thanks to you.

Life guarding rates high for job satisfaction, not to mention pay.

Of course, you’ll need to qualify first. Find out more about that process here.

Babysitter: If you pick the right family, a babysitting job can take you anywhere.

Imagine taking the kids to the beach, the park or even up the street for an ice cream. Plus, you get to hang out with some (hopefully) cool kiddies.

Caddy: Another job with a fresh air perk – caddying is a particularly perfect summer job if you’re interested in golf.

Find your closest golf course and apply directly

Kickstart your career

Internships may not pay well (or at all, although often they should) but there’s no denying they’re a helpful leg up in a majority of career paths.

Why not check out the AustralianSuper’s Internship program? Applications open in May next year.

Or how about something with Deloitte or IBM? Each of these companies earned a spot in the top 40 internships for 2014/2015.

Alternatively, if you’re into something a bit more creative, how about volunteering with this documentary film club? Or this art gallery in Sydney?

Make a difference

Most students work summer jobs to fund their holidays.

But where possible, volunteering for a cause you care about might leave you feeling more fulfilled than flogging clothing in a busy shopping centre.

The website Go Volunteer lists volunteer positions at St Vincent de Paul, the Salvation Army and Conservation Volunteers Victoria among others.

And if you’re hesitant to volunteer for free, just remember it can be a great way to help the community, and will be looked upon favourably by future employers.

This article has been sponsored by AustralianSuper Pty Ltd ABN 94 006 457 987, AFSL 233788. The views and opinions expressed in any article accessed through The New Daily are those of the author or The New Daily and not AustralianSuper.   For more information, please visit australiansuper.com