USA Long-Term Work

If you’re planning on spending a substantial amount of time (more than 3 months) working in the US, search for a job well in advance. International placement agencies and websites are geared toward pairing US employers with international travelers. Although they are often available only to college students, internships are a good way to segue into working abroad, despite frequently meager paychecks. Be wary of advertisements for companies claiming to be able get you a job abroad for a fee—often the same listings are available online or in newspapers. Some reputable organizations include:

Alliances Abroad Group, Inc., 1221 S. Mopac Expwy., Ste. 250, Austin, TX 78746 (☎866-ABROAD; www.alliancesabroad.com). Organizes summer work in the service industry for university students ages 18-28.
British Universities North American Club (BUNAC), 16 Bowling Green Ln., London, EC1R OQH, UK (☎+44 020 7251 3472, US 203-264-0901; www.bunac.com). Arranges short- and long-term job placements, visas, and work authorization in the US for individuals over 18. Work placement includes summer jobs, work training programs, and camp counselor positions. Some programs are open to non-students.
Camp America, 37a Queen’s Gate, London, SW7 5HR, UK (☎+44 020 7581 7373, US 203-399-5000; www.campamerica.co.uk). Summer camp jobs are popular in the US; most last about 9 weeks and can include time afterward for travel. Camp America places counselors in a variety of camps, including religious camps and camps for disadvantaged or special-needs children. Positions in service areas, such as kitchen or maintenance, are also available. Camp Counselors USA, 2330 Marinship Way, Ste. 250, Sausalito, CA 94965 (☎415-339-2728; www.ccusa.com), also places counselors and has positions in specialty areas such as outdoor sports and the arts.
Council Exchanges, 3 Copley Pl., 2nd fl., Boston, MA 02116 (☎617-247-0350; www.councilexchanges.org). Charges a $300-475 fee for arranging working authorizations valid for 3-6 months. Extensive information about job opportunities in the US.
International Cooperative Education, 15 Spiros Way, Menlo Park, CA, 94025 (☎650-323-4944; www.icemenlo.com). Finds summer jobs for students in the US. Costs include a $200 application fee and a $600 fee for placement.

Looking beyond job placement programs may be the best way to find a job opportunity that fits your needs, skills, and time. However, most job service and search engines do not assist potential employees in acquiring visas or work permits, which you must have before applying for temporary work or internships. Keep in mind that individual employers may have specific policies with regard to non-US citizens, and allow for extra time to process applications.

About Jobs, 180 State Rd., Ste. 2U, Sagamore Beach, MA 02562 (☎508-888-6889; www.aboutjobs.com). Has summer jobs, internships, and resort work in North America.
Cool Works, P.O. Box 272, 511 Hwy. 89, Gardiner, MT 59030 (☎406-848-2380; www.coolworks.com). Options include work at state parks, ski resorts, camps, ranches, and amusement parks.
JobsAbroad.com. Find internships and jobs on this user-friendly site. Committed to providing the most comprehensive employment directories, jobsabroad.com supplies the most up-to-date and accurate information on the web for both international and native travelers.
Net-Temps.com. Net-Temps assists staffing companies in sourcing and hiring the most qualified candidates. Search by keyword or location for full-time and temporary jobs. Membership with Net-Temps is free for job-seekers. Users can search thousands of new job postings, create a free Job Search Assistant, and post up to 3 resumes and cover letters. Provides resume-writing and interviewing tips.

Au Pair Work

Au pairs are typically women (though sometimes men), aged 18-27, who work as live-in nannies, caring for children and doing light housework in foreign countries in exchange for room, board, and a small stipend. Most former au pairs speak favorably of their experience. One perk of the job is that it allows you to really get to know the country without the high expenses of traveling. Drawbacks, however, often include mediocre pay and long hours. In the US, weekly salaries typically fall below $200, with at least 45hr. of work expected. Au pairs are expected to speak English and have at least 200hr. of childcare experience. Much of the au pair experience depends on the family with whom you are placed. A good starting point for those seeking employment is Childcare International, Ltd. (Trafalgar House, Greenville Pl., London NW7 3SA, UK. ☎+44 020 8906-3116; fax 8906-3461; www.childint.co.uk.) A similar placement agency in the US is InterExchange. (161 Sixth Ave., New York, NY 10013. ☎212-924-0446; fax 924-0575; www.interexchange.org.)