Author Topic: Anyone got a seasonal gig?  (Read 3146 times)

Adam Zapple

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Anyone got a seasonal gig?
« on: May 17, 2019, 04:29:33 PM »
I am interested in what types of jobs are out there that are decent paying but are only seasonal (6 months or less).  I missed out on a good side gig a few years ago managing a yacht club for the summer.  It's the kind of job that gets locked up by one person for decades.  Had I been the one to lock it up, I could probably semi-retire in 4-5 years.  There must be other jobs like this that I'm not thinking of.

fuzzy math

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Re: Anyone got a seasonal gig?
« Reply #1 on: May 17, 2019, 04:35:00 PM »
I just got a post card in the mail today about being a 2020 census taker. It says the hours are flexible!! Not sure they'd be flexible enough for my current crazy job but it piqued my interest.

Villanelle

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Re: Anyone got a seasonal gig?
« Reply #2 on: May 17, 2019, 05:05:46 PM »
I often pitch substitute teaching. Not traditionally "seasonal", but you can pick the days (months, weeks, whatever) that you work and those you don't and you never have to ask to have a specific day off.  If you only want to work 6 months, as long as those aren't during the summer (although there are summer school subs as well, but there's not much need), decide what months those are and only make yourself available.

Generally requires a college degree and then whatever test or other requirements your local area has.  And you can sign up for more than one district if that geographically feasible. 

Biggest downside is that it's not entirely predictable or reliable, especially at first.  If you are good, you'll get lots of requests, but that takes time to build up.
 

Morning Glory

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Re: Anyone got a seasonal gig?
« Reply #3 on: May 17, 2019, 05:22:44 PM »
I am an adjunct at a local university. One day per week during the school year, which I can do in addition to my regular job.

use2betrix

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Re: Anyone got a seasonal gig?
« Reply #4 on: May 17, 2019, 05:37:50 PM »
There’s a lot of short term construction projects that staff up heavily with short durations with long hours (lots of OT) that really add up in pay. I’ve worked many of these jobs..

Once I stop working full time, I’ll likely pick up around 2-4 months of refinery shutdown work a year and will take home around $5k/wk or so, my skill level will be higher than may of the typical people working those jobs would be paid.

Firehazard

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Re: Anyone got a seasonal gig?
« Reply #5 on: May 17, 2019, 05:47:13 PM »
My husband started fore-caddying for a swanky golf club recently on a part-time basis.  He makes between $130-$250 per round, sometimes more.  As he gains experience, he'll likely do better.  The course pays a bag fee based on how many golfers are in the group, plus the golfers pay tips.  Tips can vary a lot, but the minimum suggested tip is $20/golfer.  Most of the activity in this area is spring and fall.    He's really enjoying doing that and getting lots more exercise than when he was sitting in a cubicle all day!  It's costing us some groceries, though...there is a lot of jogging involved.

Adam Zapple

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Re: Anyone got a seasonal gig?
« Reply #6 on: May 17, 2019, 06:44:11 PM »
There’s a lot of short term construction projects that staff up heavily with short durations with long hours (lots of OT) that really add up in pay. I’ve worked many of these jobs..

Once I stop working full time, I’ll likely pick up around 2-4 months of refinery shutdown work a year and will take home around $5k/wk or so, my skill level will be higher than may of the typical people working those jobs would be paid.

What type of construction exactly?  I've got residential framing and finish experience.

ks135ks

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Re: Anyone got a seasonal gig?
« Reply #7 on: May 17, 2019, 06:45:48 PM »
I work at a tax office during the tax season.  It's 4 months with incredibly flexible hours.  The pay is admittedly pretty crappy to start, but builds as you go.  Plus, you learn LOTS of tax tips and see plenty of what to do and what not to do using real world examples (learn from others successes and mistakes).  Depending on the state, you may also qualify for unemployment in the off season. 

I also picked up a proctoring exams gig during finals weeks at a local university.  It's only 2 or 3 weeks a year for a few hours a week based on my availability making sure kids don't get cheat.  It's certainly not something I ever would have thought of doing had I been working full time year round. 

MonkeyJenga

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Re: Anyone got a seasonal gig?
« Reply #8 on: May 17, 2019, 07:28:13 PM »
I also picked up a proctoring exams gig during finals weeks at a local university.  It's only 2 or 3 weeks a year for a few hours a week based on my availability making sure kids don't get cheat.  It's certainly not something I ever would have thought of doing had I been working full time year round.

Did you see this job advertised somewhere, or was it word of mouth? I've tutored before and live near a few colleges.

ks135ks

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Re: Anyone got a seasonal gig?
« Reply #9 on: May 17, 2019, 07:40:00 PM »
I also picked up a proctoring exams gig during finals weeks at a local university.  It's only 2 or 3 weeks a year for a few hours a week based on my availability making sure kids don't get cheat.  It's certainly not something I ever would have thought of doing had I been working full time year round.

Did you see this job advertised somewhere, or was it word of mouth? I've tutored before and live near a few colleges.

It was through word of mouth.  I just did a quick search on Indeed for "exam proctor" and saw some universities listing positions there.  Perhaps your local university has a similar posting?

use2betrix

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Re: Anyone got a seasonal gig?
« Reply #10 on: May 17, 2019, 08:45:32 PM »
There’s a lot of short term construction projects that staff up heavily with short durations with long hours (lots of OT) that really add up in pay. I’ve worked many of these jobs..

Once I stop working full time, I’ll likely pick up around 2-4 months of refinery shutdown work a year and will take home around $5k/wk or so, my skill level will be higher than may of the typical people working those jobs would be paid.

What type of construction exactly?  I've got residential framing and finish experience.

Mostly industrial - refinery, power plant, chemical plant, pipeline, stations, etc. Lots of welding, pressure vessels, structural steel, etc.

A lot of refineries shut down once or twice a year for maintenance and they basically have to get everything done super fast so they work a ton of hours to minimize shutdown time.

tralfamadorian

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kpd905

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Re: Anyone got a seasonal gig?
« Reply #12 on: May 18, 2019, 04:37:21 PM »
I work at a tax office during the tax season.  It's 4 months with incredibly flexible hours.  The pay is admittedly pretty crappy to start, but builds as you go.  Plus, you learn LOTS of tax tips and see plenty of what to do and what not to do using real world examples (learn from others successes and mistakes).  Depending on the state, you may also qualify for unemployment in the off season. 


What position are you working for this?  And what is the pay like?

BeanCounter

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Re: Anyone got a seasonal gig?
« Reply #13 on: May 18, 2019, 04:48:24 PM »
I work at a tax office during the tax season.  It's 4 months with incredibly flexible hours.  The pay is admittedly pretty crappy to start, but builds as you go.  Plus, you learn LOTS of tax tips and see plenty of what to do and what not to do using real world examples (learn from others successes and mistakes).  Depending on the state, you may also qualify for unemployment in the off season. 

I also picked up a proctoring exams gig during finals weeks at a local university.  It's only 2 or 3 weeks a year for a few hours a week based on my availability making sure kids don't get cheat.  It's certainly not something I ever would have thought of doing had I been working full time year round.
How did you get started on the seasonal tax work and if you don’t mind sharing how bad was the starting pay? I’m a cpa ready to leave the Corp world. I’d like to do seasonal tax so I can earn some extra travel money but be home with the kids in the summer.

ks135ks

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Re: Anyone got a seasonal gig?
« Reply #14 on: May 18, 2019, 07:08:13 PM »
How did you get started on the seasonal tax work and if you don’t mind sharing how bad was the starting pay? I’m a cpa ready to leave the Corp world. I’d like to do seasonal tax so I can earn some extra travel money but be home with the kids in the summer.
What position are you working for this?  And what is the pay like?

I actually work as a tax pro.  As a CPA, you could start at a higher rate of pay than if you come in new and not certified as an EA or CPA.  First year without certification was hourly pay above minimum wage, but not by much (really, to start it's crappy).  As your experience builds and customer base is created in subsequent years, your pay is more commission based and bound only by the number of hours you are willing to work and how far up the education ranking system (read how deeply entrenched in tax law) you'd like to go.  There are people who make a few hundred a month (work only a few nights a week) to those making >50k in tax season (lots of hours, massive client base, many years experience).  Feel free to PM me if you'd like more details.
« Last Edit: May 18, 2019, 07:11:05 PM by ks135ks »

MonkeyJenga

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Re: Anyone got a seasonal gig?
« Reply #15 on: May 19, 2019, 12:49:41 AM »
I also picked up a proctoring exams gig during finals weeks at a local university.  It's only 2 or 3 weeks a year for a few hours a week based on my availability making sure kids don't get cheat.  It's certainly not something I ever would have thought of doing had I been working full time year round.

Did you see this job advertised somewhere, or was it word of mouth? I've tutored before and live near a few colleges.

It was through word of mouth.  I just did a quick search on Indeed for "exam proctor" and saw some universities listing positions there.  Perhaps your local university has a similar posting?

Thanks!

pressure9pa

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Re: Anyone got a seasonal gig?
« Reply #16 on: May 19, 2019, 03:42:37 PM »
Basketball referee.  I try to do two nights a week, which after gas usually yields about $100 / wk from mid-November to mid-March.  I could easily do more, and probably will when the kids are out of the house.