Bilingual Summer Jobs

Talking your way into seasonal work

Imagine you and 99 other people have applied for the same job; doesn’t seem too promising, does it? Now imagine you are one of just 10 applicants for that same job. Feeling better about your chances?

That’s what the job market is like for bilingual job applicants in America, where only about 10 percent of the population speaks a second language fluently. Whole careers are built on the strength of a popular second language paired with a compatible job skill: job placement, real estate, marketing and service industries to name just a few. Español de comprensión (understanding Spanish), sprechender Deutscher (speaking German) or being able to communicate in any foreign language doesn’t just boost long-term career goals; it can put you on the fast track to a summer job.

Lifeguard – Bilingual safety workers almost always have an advantage in job hunts. People in potentially dangerous situations need to be given clear instructions in a language they understand, and pools and beaches are no exception. The ability to yell “no running!” in more than one language is a prime skill for the pool police.

Immersion Summer Camp – While only one in 10 of Americans are bilingual right now, many parents are investing in their children’s future by sending them to language immersion camps for the summer. If you’re looking for an awesome resume builder, look no further! An immersion summer camp counselor job offers all the wholesome fun of being an old-school camp counselor plus the chance to practice your foreign language skills while you are teaching kids. That’s three different job skills in one sweet summer gig.

Childcare – A close cousin of the immersion summer camp job, bilingual childcare, daycare and nanny professionals are in demand during the busy summer months when kids are out of school (but parents still have to work). Depending on the specifics of your position, you will likely be working with younger kids from bilingual households or families that do not speak English fluently.

Internships – Remember all those careers we listed at the beginning? Most have summer internships available, so if you’re considering a career in human resources, real estate, marketing or customer service, there is a good chance you can find a company looking for a bilingual intern over the summer. This is a great chance to gain experience in a new field or check out alternate career options.

If you speak a second language, put it to work helping you find work; if you don’t, consider learning one. It’s a handy skill to add to your resume, can encourage you to travel to other countries and boasts the added bonus of helping you order food without pointing helplessly at the menu when dining at exotic international restaurants.