You’re Home: Now What?

The first few days and even weeks at home after a gap experience can be delightful – you get to see friends and family (and pets!) and enjoy the comforts of home. 

After a little while, however, the sheen of being back home wears off, leaving you with a lot of free time. This break between opportunities offers you a chance to make some extra money, pursue a personal project or squeeze in some mini adventures. It also allows you to practice being the master of your own time – an important skill for college and life! 

Below you’ll find ideas to inspire the “in-between” time of your gap year to help you build a routine until the next adventure begins!

JOB HUNT BRAINSTORMING

→ Babysit

→ Tutor

→ Private Coaching or Training

TIPS FOR YOUR HUSTLE:

Put the word out:

• Parents are ALWAYS looking for help. Use your parents’ network, community bulletin boards, local newspapers, and social media to advertise your services. Create eye-catching flyers to distribute in local businesses.

Online Platforms:

• Explore online community platforms like NextDoor or Facebook. This can expand your reach beyond your local contacts

Network in Your Community:

• Attend local events or join community groups where parents might be looking for reliable babysitters, tutors or coaches.

→ Dogwalk

→ Housesit

→ Work at a vet clinic, doggie daycare or shelter

TIPS FOR YOUR HUSTLE:

Put the word out:

• If you will be home for the holidays let everyone know! Activate the parents’ network, community bulletin boards, local newspapers, and social media to advertise your services. Create eye-catching flyers to distribute in local businesses.

Create a Flexible Schedule:

• Be open to working during evenings, weekends, and holidays, as pet owners may need services at various times.
• Offer flexible scheduling to accommodate the needs of your clients.

Stay Informed about Pet Health:

• Keep yourself informed about common health issues in pets and know the basics of first aid.
• Have contact information for local veterinarians in case of emergencies.

→ Work Retail Over the Holidays

→ Become a Server or Host

→ Visitor/Guest services at hotels, museums or attractions

TIPS FOR YOUR HUSTLE:

Hit the street:

• Print out some resumes and physically go to restauarnts, cafes or other places that are hiring to hand them to a manager in person.

Local spots can be easier than chains:

• Corporations can have a lengthy hiring process through a web protal. Local businesses tend to hire more quickly.

Pick up where you left off:

• If you had a job you liked over the summer, see if you can resume working there during your time at home.

→ Sell Your Art on Etsy

→ Be a Holiday Helper (see below)

→ Visitor/Guest services at hotels, museums or attractions

TIPS FOR YOUR HUSTLE:

For Artists/Photographers:

• Offer to take family portraits for local families over the holidays
• Create custom holiday cards for your town or area; or bespoke orders
• Create and sell digital products 

Holiday Helper Tasks:

• Create a gift wrapping service for busy people
• Holiday Home Cleaning (clean homes before guests arrive or prior to home rental)
• Holiday party helper (background support during a party to maintain food/drink trays, clean and help things run smoothly)

Physical Tasks:

• Snow shoveler or Landscaper
• Moving help