Diverse Work Environment

Countryside - Explore the Splendor of Natural Beauty

Jobs in the National Parks may interest you, not so much for the jobs themselves, but for the opportunity to live in some of the most beautiful areas of USA. Most of the jobs will be in the small towns around the perimeters of the parks or in lodging centers within the parks. Though your duties may not be very exciting, you are being paid to work in what is often a beautiful and peaceful working environment, where you can be friend with many Americans and people from around the world.

Cities - Taste the Bustling and Animated City Lives

Across America, there are numerous amusement parks. They attract millions of visitors each year, and offer many seasonal work opportunities to both local and foreign students. If you have a craving for heart-stopping roller coaster ride, you will get to not only ride them as often as you want, but also learn how it operates. The proximity to nearby cities is definitely another major advantage to be considered.

Apart from amusement parks, you may also find work opportunities at shopping malls, resort towns, or even major airports, mostly within the catering industry.

Previous Job Examples

Salary

The salary you will get should cover the cost of living or even enable you to save some extra money to help reduce travel expenses. In the U.S., the federal minimum wage is currently USD7.25 per hour. For tipped labor, the hourly wage is lower, at USD2.5-3, but the tipped income will almost guarantee you to make much higher than the non-tipped position. You can generally expect a 7-8 hour workday, a 5-6 day workweek and probably be working 35-40 hours a week. Based on the federal minimum wage level, this amounts to USD2,500 to 3,000 for 2.5 months of work.

Employees are generally paid every two weeks. Depending on when you start your job, you may not receive your first pay for the first 3-4 weeks. We recommend having at least USD1,000 upon arrival above the cost of travel to your job, first month’s rent, and a security deposit for housing, if applicable.

Accommodation & Food

Arrangement of accommodation should be made before you leave Hong Kong. Most of the U.S. employers will provide cheap housing, but if accommodation is not provided with your job, you will need to arrange it yourself. We and your employer will try to assist you as much as we can, but at the end of the day, it is up to you to make the final decision.

Housing prices and conditions vary widely between employers, most likely, you will share a same sex dormitory with 2 to 3 coworkers, possibly from outside U.S. like yourself. Naturally, accommodation in the countryside would be lower than that of the city, usually within a range of USD20 - 120 per week.

In most cases, students will be responsible for buying and preparing their own food, although some employers will provide meals. Depending on your preferences, you will be spending USD100 - 400 monthly on food.