Job Ideas for next summer?

Question

I just turned 18 and am thinking about working somewhere away from home next summer. I'll be a college student though so I'll only be able to work from June-August. Ideas for jobs that have crossed my mind include:

-working on a cruise ship

-working construction in alaska

-working in alaska on a fishing boat

-working at a summer camp

Ideally I'd like to work on a cruise ship but I realize it is unlikely to get hired for just three months. When should I apply for places? Where can I find places to apply to? Is it realistic to think any place will hire me for three months besides a summer camp?

I'd like for the job to cover cost of travel, food and room/board if possible.

Answer 1

Well, there are always these jobs:

http://www.bofads.com/stories/jobs.htm

Answer 2

I don't think it's realistic that any of those places (other than summer camp) would hire you just for the summer.  Construction would but not all the way in Alaska.  Why not stay at home with Mom and Dad and work construction there?  It's a great skill to learn, hard work and you'll go back to college buff.  

Normal summer jobs: an internship in your field if you can get it.  A temp office job.  Retail.  Amusement park.  Waiting tables.  Places with high turnover don't care that you quit in 3 months b/c most people would anyway.  Places that require a lot of training and pay well, aren't willing to train you for 4 weeks just so that in 8 more you quit.  Also have you ever watched Deadliest Catch?  Fishing boat in Alaska is dangerous work.

With very little skill and only a high school diploma, most jobs won't pay for travel or room/board.  And if it does (like summer camp), you don't earn much more.  Internships often pay for room/board but don't actually pay you money to live on.  Amusement parks give you the perk of getting into the park for free and usually pay fairly well (plus discount on food/drink).  Your best bet will be family contacts or trying to use what skills you possess.  Did you work in high school?

I don't know where your college is but most of us work away from home by staying in the college over the summer.  For me that was several hours away from home and as many people have apartments they want to rent out, you can negotiate a really great rent break.  My last year I was offering my place at half price just to get someone to take it.