Spring semester is over, classroom work -planning, preparing, and delivering lessons-, ensuring students’welfare, advising, professional services on committees, collaborating with parents -especially for k-12 teachers-, etc. have finished, but work has not.

  The picture of college faculty and teachers enjoying themselves two to three months in a hammock is far from reality. The time “off”the academic year is often time “on”to revise courses and materials, prepare new ones, read, write research papers and look for innovations they can adopt in their disciplines for the forthcoming year. 

  However, most of the time, the paycheck does not cover this silent work. On a general basis, payment is allocated in nine or ten months.

So, the academic year has ended. Now, what?

  There is a real need to cover expenses but also a need to shift away from the routine. The best way to get both is to take some time before school ends and reflect on those aspects you are most passionate about in your teaching profession. For example, during the year, do you miss writing longer and more often? In summer, do you miss social interaction? 

  Listing some priorities will gear your temporary job search. Just keep in mind that being flexible will improve your chances.

Some tips to get started in your summer job search

Think ahead. Start your priority list and search, not weeks but long enough before the summer. Recruiters will try to fill summer positions months in advance.

Keep an updated resume. Although it is the main document, keep statements, recommendations, if possible, even your teaching portfolio updated. You never know what your employer will be asking from you.

Contact recruiters and staffing agencies. 

Search online job listings. Narrow down your search to those websites related to your area of interest, or use filters for the same purpose.

Approach the institutions/companies' websites. Some employers will refrain from third parties and only post on their sites.

Network. Despite the high impact of technology on our daily lives, word of mouth still works very well. By networking, you may get to know about postings that do not appear online yet.

What are the job options out there for faculty and teachers?

  There is a wide range of opportunities depending on your preferences and needs.

• Teaching in summer school and summer programs at colleges and universities are good choices if you like the classroom setting.
• Private tutoring if you want more independence.
• Freelance writing. Thanks to soft skills such as logical thinking, and written communication implemented in everyday teaching and research, freelance writing may be an attractive option to start during the summer and continue through the academic year, mainly because you can handle your writing schedule.
• Online test scoring. Working on the narrative section of computer tests might feel attractive if you are looking to do something quietly at home. ETS (Educational Testing Services), College Board, Pearson, for example, usually need online scorers.
• Monitor at museums, summer camps, amusement parks, water parks, etc. Places such as these need an extra hand during the summertime.
• Tour guide locally or in study abroad programs -combined with some teaching-.
• If you have a spirit for adventure, you may want to try teaching English in another country. Many English teaching positions overseas require native speakers, which is excellent.  Depending on the employer, they might ask you for a TEFL certification as well. If this is a case, do not take it as a setback. If you plan with some time in advance, a certification course can take from 4 to 11 weeks for completion.

   Having some extra time in the summer might also help let your imagination fly and start your own project, for instance, turning a hobby into a business. 

   No matter what you do, it will be worth doing.

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