Summer jobs are not just for high school and college students. Many professionals seek summer employment to supplement their incomes or expand their skill sets. Some people find summer jobs a good way to explore a new city or country and others use them for the opportunity to take a break from the “real world.”

Start your summer job search with an online investigation in your fields of interest. Take time to consider your goals in obtaining summer employment, as this step will help you to conduct a focused search. Use Career Connector (www.careerconnector.org) to polish your rĂ©sumĂ©. While you’re there, you can browse the many job listings featured on the site.

Take time to spruce up your social media presence, ensuring that all your experience and activities are up to date. Include key words that note your desire for summer employment to increase the chances that you’ll be found.

If you are interested in special events, there are many terrific opportunities to work at summer festivals and fairs. This employment is an especially good way to immerse yourself in another city or state for a week or two.

Likewise, if you happen to live in an area known for summer travel, there are always seasonal positions available at resort properties. These jobs are in a variety of areas, including food service, customer relations, and even retail.

Building on the idea of travel-related employment, there are many opportunities to serve as a tour guide. These experiences can range from jobs in your area to hosting international travel groups. An internet search can provide a list of many travel vendors who have such openings.

Many teachers seek summer employment in educational settings, as summer camps often need certified teachers and counselors on staff. As an educator, you might consider starting your own tutoring business to help students get a jump on the coming academic year. If entrepreneurship is of interest to you, visit your local Goodwill to see if they are offering a GoodBIZ class, which will help you on the path to business ownership.

Using the summer as a time for enhancing your skills in your chosen field or exploring possibilities can pay great dividends in your personal and professional endeavors. So, get out there and make this a summer to remember!