Greetings, Gatineau, Quebec students! It's that time of year again - when school ends and your sense of freedom is short lived because you've got to go out and find a summer job so you can afford to go back to school next September. But fear not. With some resume and cover letter help from the Canadian Resume Service and a go-getter attitude, you're bound to find something that will hopefully pay well and net you experience points toward your future career.
Internships
This is what you should be aiming for if you want to use your summers for career development. The best way to access internships in your desired field is to be in the co-op (combined work/study) stream at your university, where employers will be soliciting applications for data encryption interns from the computer sciences department. Alternatively, you can apply directly for some internships if you're willing to do the internet legwork to find them.
FSWEP
The Federal Student Work Experience Program is a Canadian government program that gives university students access to seasonal entry level work at federal government offices. Jobs span the gamut of federal operations so you might find yourself in an office sorting mail or out on a fishing boat using aquarium test kits to gather data about water and the fishery. Applicants are screened into a pool and jobs are allotted by lottery, so get your application in early before they're all gone.
Retail/Labor/Tourism
These industries are the backbone of inexperienced job opportunities. You could take this opportunity to travel and work at a spa in Edmonton or get a job at a local Gatineau hotel, restaurant, or store. Bilingualism is a definite plus that will help you get selected. Alternatively you might find work with a landscaping company or a painting company that might require more muscle work than mouth work. Check newspapers, job banks, and store windows for openings.
Camp
For those going into child care and education fields, summer camp is a great resume booster. There are general and specialty camps all over the country in both sleepaway and day formats, so you could travel and work with kids with autism in Mississauga or guide preschoolers in their crafts by day and return to your Gatineau home by night. Lifeguard certification or first aid will help secure a job. Check with the local job bank or YMCA for listings or try online at www.summercampstaff.com.
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