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Can't find summer work in my field.

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Tim_Tex
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31 May 2008, 11:24 pm

I have an Associate's degree in GIS, and I am working on my bachelor's degree in geography/urban planning. I have been looking for summer work in GIS, but haven't found anyone who will hire me. I applied to 12 GIS jobs in Houston, and not one has even called me for an interview. I don't want to do anything else, because I need to make at least $12-13/hour over the summer, because I need money for living expenses while school is in session, and I can't handle a part-time job during the semester, because I will have three classes that are writing-intensive, plus one science class (my minor is geology).

So what do I do?


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Silver_Meteor
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31 May 2008, 11:46 pm

Tim_Tex wrote:
I have an Associate's degree in GIS, and I am working on my bachelor's degree in geography/urban planning. I have been looking for summer work in GIS, but haven't found anyone who will hire me. I applied to 12 GIS jobs in Houston, and not one has even called me for an interview. I don't want to do anything else, because I need to make at least $12-13/hour over the summer, because I need money for living expenses while school is in session, and I can't handle a part-time job during the semester, because I will have three classes that are writing-intensive, plus one science class (my minor is geology).

So what do I do?


Geology is one of those fields where you won't get any summer jobs with an Associates Degree. I worked as a CNA(Certified Nursing Assistant) as a backup and you won't have very much trouble picking up something over the summer.


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Tim_Tex
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31 May 2008, 11:53 pm

What else pays $12-13/hour?


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sinsboldly
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01 Jun 2008, 12:09 am

Tim_Tex wrote:
What else pays $12-13/hour?


I am an insurance fraud investigator and make just over 13 an hour, but I have been working years to get that. I agree with Silver Meteor - just being an orderly in health care will pay better. I know it is not your chosen field, but a man has got to eat.

Merle



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01 Jun 2008, 12:56 am

Hi Tim,

I think it really varies from town to town what pays $12/hr because of the differences in cost of living. Anyways, is there a Geological Survey dept in your area that you could apply to even if its as a summer intern? Does your college have a placement dept who could assist you in finding work in your field?

My other suggestion is to go to a temp agency. But first talk with other young people who have temped and get the scoop on your local temp agencies. I say get the scoop because in my town there is one agency that is a locally owned who gets exclusive contracts with companies. So here its pointless to sign up with anyone but this company if you want a good placement. This agency is privy to placing temps in companies that will not contract with the other more wellknown agencies such as Manpower and Kelly. This local agency got me a temp placement with one of the top companies in the US and yes its extremely high paying for a temp job. So look for something like that in your area where an agency could get you in the door at a top company.

Since your field is highly specialized and technical you might not be able to get into that field right away. Ask for placement in one of the GIS companies doing something more basic like data entry or even maintenance. Its all about just getting your foot in the door. You can start out in one dept and move into another one after you have worked there awhile. Good luck and keep us posted.

PS:Chin up about applying so many places. I know a bunch of people in same predicament all over the country, including one guy I know with a Masters deg in engineering. Remember its not you-- its the freakin lousy economy and businesses being scared to hire and invest during this uncertainty. Things will get better once we have a new president because businesses are all holding out for that.



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01 Jun 2008, 1:08 am

I was re-reading your post Tim and something else occurred to me. Have you asked for an internship with your city or county since you are working on a degree in urban planning? Constantly check for city/county/state jobs, most towns will have websites and often you can sign up to get email notifications whenever new job postings are added.

Cities often will sign up with temp agencies as I have two friends who have been placed in city jobs via temp agencies and both turned into permanent jobs.

Also keep in mind if nothing else works -- it is summer time which means plenty of people need someone to mow their lawn, trim trees and clean out the gutters. A lot of senior citizens will pay someone to do yard work since they can't.



computerlove
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01 Jun 2008, 1:52 am

1.- call them again.
2.- if you know anyone in the field, students/classmates, ask them if they know of any available positions or places they recommend.
3.- the ugly option: Work and study.


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Tim_Tex
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03 Jun 2008, 5:06 pm

Ticker wrote:
Hi Tim,

I think it really varies from town to town what pays $12/hr because of the differences in cost of living. Anyways, is there a Geological Survey dept in your area that you could apply to even if its as a summer intern? Does your college have a placement dept who could assist you in finding work in your field?

My other suggestion is to go to a temp agency. But first talk with other young people who have temped and get the scoop on your local temp agencies. I say get the scoop because in my town there is one agency that is a locally owned who gets exclusive contracts with companies. So here its pointless to sign up with anyone but this company if you want a good placement. This agency is privy to placing temps in companies that will not contract with the other more wellknown agencies such as Manpower and Kelly. This local agency got me a temp placement with one of the top companies in the US and yes its extremely high paying for a temp job. So look for something like that in your area where an agency could get you in the door at a top company.

Since your field is highly specialized and technical you might not be able to get into that field right away. Ask for placement in one of the GIS companies doing something more basic like data entry or even maintenance. Its all about just getting your foot in the door. You can start out in one dept and move into another one after you have worked there awhile. Good luck and keep us posted.

PS:Chin up about applying so many places. I know a bunch of people in same predicament all over the country, including one guy I know with a Masters deg in engineering. Remember its not you-- its the freakin lousy economy and businesses being scared to hire and invest during this uncertainty. Things will get better once we have a new president because businesses are all holding out for that.


I'm in Houston, Texas, and the cost of living is still reasonable. Over here, the economy is still doing reasonably well, and that is why I feel a lot of distress after not getting any offers.

Incidentally, when I first got my associate's degree in 2002, I was worried that I had overspecialized.


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juliekitty
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03 Jun 2008, 8:10 pm

Ticker wrote:
My other suggestion is to go to a temp agency.... Ask for placement in one of the GIS companies doing something more basic like data entry or even maintenance. Its all about just getting your foot in the door.


Absolutely.

Temping is great. I temped for years.

If you like them and they like you; awesome. They may know someone who can give you a permanent job. Or they may offer you one themselves. (I got far more job offers as a temp than I accepted.)

If you don't like them and/or they don't like you; no problem. The job's over in three days or three weeks, and then you move on to something more compatible.

Tip for temping: Be as flexible as possible in what assignments you accept, especially if they're short-term. You can put up with a lot more for a week or two than you could in a permanent job. That makes them like you and want to give you work, and good references. Especially if someone calls you from the agency with a last-minute rush, fill in if you can. Then they'll love you.



Last edited by juliekitty on 03 Jun 2008, 8:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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03 Jun 2008, 8:11 pm

Ticker wrote:
I was re-reading your post Tim and something else occurred to me. Have you asked for an internship with your city or county since you are working on a degree in urban planning? Constantly check for city/county/state jobs, most towns will have websites and often you can sign up to get email notifications whenever new job postings are added.

Cities often will sign up with temp agencies as I have two friends who have been placed in city jobs via temp agencies and both turned into permanent jobs.


yep yep, Ticker's in the zone!



spudnik
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03 Jun 2008, 8:17 pm

Its booming up here in Alberta, I am sure you can find summer work in the GIS field, the problem is its very expensive here, but lots of opportunity



juliekitty
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03 Jun 2008, 8:36 pm

Spudnik is right. Do you know any websites for Tim, Spud?

BTW, I worship Ricky and have a framed magazine cover of TPB on my wall. :)



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03 Jun 2008, 8:57 pm

Alberta Government has a few
http://www.chr.alberta.ca/jobs/index.html

Industry Canada
http://www.ic.gc.ca/app/ccc/srch/bscSrc ... :1247ngl4o

http://www.geomaticscanada.com/jobs.cfm



juliekitty
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03 Jun 2008, 9:40 pm

Good stuff!

Canadians are solving your problems left, right and centre these days, Tim! :D



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05 Jun 2008, 12:45 am

Try this website Tim

www.careerbuilder.com


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latreefarmer
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05 Jun 2008, 3:29 pm

Have you tried any forestry companies or consulting foresters? In East Texas that would be people like Byrd Forestry in Center , The Campbell Group, Resource Management Service, etc.