It’s been a tough financial year for most, with students among the hardest hit. It’s summer now and no doubt you’ll all be taking some well-needed rest. However, some of you will almost certainly seek temporary work from July to September. Now, with the cost-of-living crisis going on, more than ever before are likely seeking temporary work. Here are some examples you might consider.

Tourism

With high street retail feeling the pinch, it may not be worth looking at shop work, with one or two exceptions (supermarkets, for example). However, it’s summer, and that means school holidays and plenty of work in domestic tourism. There are often plenty of choices: cleaning, retail outlets, food stalls, tour guiding, from small local museums to big national sites, they’re always looking for summer staffing.

Restaurants and cafes

While high street retail may be struggling right now, being prime tourist season, you may find great temporary work in the food sector. There are a variety of jobs, from coffee shop barista to waiting on tables, or even delivery drivers for takeaways (assuming you have a full driving license) always in demand in high summer. Most places expect an increase in footfall during the summer holidays, even in areas which don’t typically have a tourist season.

Temp for the university

Universities are always looking for summer employees, whether that’s to prepare for the Fresher’s Week, to help with summer open days, or to aid with marketing, fundraising and outreach. The list is potentially endless. Make a habit of checking the jobs board or equivalent, you might be surprised what’s available. It’s also worth considering the department where you’re studying your degree. Lab assistants, for example, archivists and other roles might be available though they usually prefer postgrads to build professional experience.

Private tutoring

This may or may not be viable depending on the groups you intend to tutor, as you will need to go through DBS checking which a) costs money and b) could take a while to process. You need a DBS if you intend to work with children or vulnerable adults. If offering private tutoring to adults for stuff like learning a second language, you don’t necessarily need it. Always check! Zoom has made this an easier option for casual work.

Creative freelancing

Do you have photo editing or video editing skills? Can you craft a social media post? These are not exactly lucrative roles and with many people doing it as side hustles and full-time freelancing, you may struggle to get noticed. However, with the right skills you can have a steady, regular income through some of the many sites offering such job listings.