Summer is almost here. If you are a college or high-school student it is probably time to start looking for a summer job. If you live in or around Atlanta, there are plenty of job opportunities available. Look around for something you’ll enjoy doing. There are so many to chose from, there is no reason to be miserable working during your summer vacation. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Six Flags Over Georgia always needs summer employees. There are a variety of positions. Six Flags always needs people to run rides, work in food services, games, or grounds crew. If you are responsible and have experience, you may get a job in a ticket office or security. There are also jobs for aspiring actors in variety shows that take place at different venues throughout the park. If you prefer to work before or after the park closes, there may be a position for you in maintenance or with the clean-up crew.
Six Flags is a great place to get job experience for your future resume, and meet people. People from all over the United States and the world visit Six Flags Over Georgia. The cultural experience will broaden your horizons, preparing you for your future career.
2. Six Flags Sister company, Six Flags White Water also needs summer workers. Anyone with lifeguard training and/or CPR training should apply right away. Work at White Water and you can work on your tan at the same time. The standard uniform is swim trunks for men, and one piece swimsuits for girls. White Water wants responsible people to keep a sharp eye on their guests, and ensure guest safety.
If you would like to work at White Water, but don’t want to dress-out in a swimsuit every day, they also have jobs in food services, ticketing, sanitation, and maintenance. Next door to White Water is American Adventures, it is like a miniature Six Flags for kids. There are outdoor jobs working kids’ rides, and most of them are in a shaded area so you can stay cool while you work. There are also indoor jobs in the arcade, restaurant, and Foam Factory.
3. Lawn maintenance is in high demand in the suburbs of Atlanta. You should be able to find an established Lawn Service that needs help. The most important qualification for this job is the ability and willingness to work hard. Whiners, complainers, and lazy students need not apply. You’ll never last in this kind of position. There is grass to be cut, planting, and weeding to be done. Many suburban neighborhoods have community covenants that require well kept lawns. This keeps the demand for lawn services high.
If you can’t find a service to work for, consider starting your own summer business. If you have access to a truck and/or trailer haul your lawn mower, weeder, edger, and garden tools around peddling your services. Since you work for yourself, you may be able to undercut the prices of bigger lawn services, and make more money at the same time since you will be working for yourself.
4. There is a large mall in nearly every county in metro-Atlanta. The need for part-time retail sales is always in high demand. Check with large department stores, and also smaller boutiques in the mall. Stand-alone kiosks in the mall often need sales help. Landing a job with a retailer may mean that you are able to keep the job part-time once school begins. It is also impressive to be able to start a resume listing a position with any major company. It will demonstrate your responsibility and salesmanship.
If you seek a job with a large department store, don’t forget to inquire about sales support jobs. These jobs include security, loading dock, personnel, and stock.
5. Discount department stores, like Walmart, Kmart, and Target almost always have openings for cashiers, night stock, security, and sanitation. There are also other customer service positions, and consultant positions in departments like electronics, and fine jewelry. Discount stores, grocery stores, and drug stores are all good places to look for jobs of this nature. These are also high profile companies that look good on a resume later.
6. Daycare facilities increase their staff over the summer. The number of older kids they care for obviously increases when school is out. If you are planning on a career in childcare, teaching, or child psychology a daycare is the perfect place for you to work. In order to work in the field of childcare you must be able to pass a background check. You must also love to work with children. Do not pursue a position in childcare if you have no patience for children. It will make for a long summer for both you and the children in your care.
Along the same lines, some parents prefer to hire a nanny for summer childcare. A nanny usually requires a background check and references. The benefit of being a nanny over working in a daycare is the flexibility. As a nanny, you may have the responsibility of taking the kids to the mall, the pool, the movies, etc. This affords you the opportunity to get out of the house a little bit, and not feel “stuck” working in one place.
7. Atlanta is a hot tourist destination. Waiters and waitresses are in high demand. Hourly pay is low for these positions, but tips can put your summer earnings over the top. Atlanta has every type of restaurant you can imagine, from five star fancy, to family buffets. They all need waiters, waitresses, and busboys. Many of Atlanta’s restaurants require hostesses, as well. Don’t limit your search to the Downtown or Buckhead area, although there are hundreds of restaurants in those areas. Search the suburbs. The suburbs are growing so fast that nearly every area has a Longhorn Steakhouse, Applebee’s, O’Charley’s, or similar type restaurant.
8. Atlanta is an international city, full of business and industry. You may be able to find a summer internship in your field of interest with a company like Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Bellsouth, Sprint, Earthlink, or a number of other businesses with corporate facilities in Atlanta. Some internships do not pay, most pay a little. The big pay-off comes from gaining on the job experience in your chosen field. In the long run, this will pay far more than a summer paycheck.
Your school’s guidance office should have information on organizations that offer summer internships. They may also have information on other jobs that are available over the summer.
When searching in Atlanta, don’t forget other tourist destinations like Stone Mountain, Lake Lanier Islands Water Park, World of Coke, New Georgia Aquarium, and a plethora of other shops and museums that will be filled with people this summer. The best way to find a job is still to get out, fill out applications, submit resumes, and look. Sitting behind a computer at home, filling out on-line applications is not the best way to land a job. Get out there and show them what you’ve got.
