Do you look forward to the warm summer months all year? Throw off those winter blahs with a new career that fits your summery disposition. Start career training now and you could be enjoying a sunnier job in no time.
Pack up your winter clothes, get out the sunblock and enjoy a new career with real perks. Check out these six jobs that can help you make the most out of your summer, with salary statistics by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Career #1: Get outside
Tired of the dead-end job that has you tied to a desk when everyone is enjoying the summer? Get trained and get outside, enjoying the summer months as you earn a healthy paycheck.
- Career focus -- landscape architect
Offer: Search for Schools
Ever wanted to know what goes into creating a beautiful golf course or public park? As a landscape architect, you'll use your knowledge and skills to create or restore private or public lands, beautifying them for everyone to enjoy.
Recommended training: A bachelor's or master's degree in landscape architecture is necessary for most landscape architects, and most states require licensure.
Salary statistics: Landscape architects earned mean annual wages of $62,250 in 2007.
Career #2: Work at night
Want to free up your daytime hours for some summer fun? Night jobs free up your time to take the kids to the pool, enjoy the backyard or just sleep in. These night jobs give you the freedom to go to work when the sun sets.
- Career focus -- nursing
This beneficial career can have a major perk of flexible hours, depending on where you choose to work. Night nurses in nursing homes, emergency rooms and home health businesses log their hours while the rest of the world is sleeping.
Recommended training: Earn a bachelor's degree, associate degree or diploma before finishing with certification to become a registered nurse.
Salary statistics: Registered nurses saw mean annual wages of $62,480 in 2007.
Career #3: Enjoy days off
Tired of the five-day grind? Take a long weekend every weekend during the summer with a part-time career. Use an education to find a part-time job that offers a healthy salary and real benefits for trained workers.
- Career focus -- dental hygienist
As a dental hygienist, you'll work under the supervision of a dentist to perform clinical tasks and keep your patients comfortable. The BLS reports that over half of all dental hygienists work part time, making this the perfect career for anyone looking for less of an hourly commitment.
Recommended training: A minimum of an associate degree is the typical requirement for most state licensing exams.
Salary statistics: In 2007, dental hygienists earned mean annual wages of $64,910.
Career #4: summer treats
Fresh watermelon, warm apple pie and sweet lemonade. You love the cool treats that come along during the summer months. Wouldn't it be perfect if you could make a career out of the food you love all summer long? With a degree or certificate program, you can find a career that really cooks.
- Career focus -- caterer
Cater summer weddings and company picnics with your own catering company. Use an education in culinary arts and business to start your business right. Caterers often work outside, so get those summer recipes ready.
Recommended training: Training and education in the culinary arts or even a bachelor's degree in hospitality management can start you on the road. If you intend to own your own business, an M.B.A. offers necessary education.
Salary statistics: PayScale reports that catering managers with five years in the business saw median salaries of $40,821 in 2009.
Career #5: Take summer off
Not content with a few days off? Take the whole summer to volunteer, travel or simply relax in the sun. Career training programs help you find a career with months off to truly enjoy the summer the way it was meant to be enjoyed.
- Career focus -- teacher
Teachers earn their summers off during the busy school year, but those months off can be a true delight. You might take the time off, or work with kids year-round with a part-time job in a summer camp or teaching summer school.
Recommended training: A bachelor's degree plus a certificate is required for most teachers in all states. If you already have a bachelor's degree in a related field, alternate certification may be available.
Salary statistics: Elementary school teachers saw mean annual salaries of $50,040 in 2007, the BLS reports.
Career #6: Cool off inside
Maybe you're looking to get out of the sun. Not all outdoor careers are fun in the sun, after all. Whether you're tired of manual labor or just looking for a way to utilize your skills in the great indoors, education can help. Use career training to get back under the air conditioner and stay cool all summer long.
- Career focus -- IT computer support
Use high-tech training to transition to a higher-paying computer support job. Computer support specialists typically work indoors, either in a retail capacity or at the help desk at a corporation.
Recommended training: A brief certificate or associate degree program is one way to train for entry-level support careers.
Salary statistics: In 2007, computer support specialists earned mean annual wages of $45,300.
Job training for hot careers
While a new degree or certificate program might not have you working as soon as this summer, you can spend the warmer months looking forward to the satisfaction you'll get in many summers to come. Find a job that works for your lifestyle, and use online training to get there.
