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Working
and Living in the US
Click on a section heading below to be taken to the corresponding
text further down the page.
What
Sort Of Jobs Can I Apply For?
The type of job is up to you. Some suggestions are:
 Resort Work
Resorts provide many summer jobs
and some winter jobs, and depend heavily upon students
seeking seasonal work. The most common jobs in resorts
are waiter or waitress, dishwasher, chambermaid or other
hotel work. Though your duties may not be very exciting,
you are being paid to work in what is often a beautiful
and peaceful work environment where you can befriend many
Americans.
Hotel Work
Hotel work is similar to resort work,
and the jobs are often low-level. Most are for chambermaids,
but there are also positions as bellboys and valets, at
the front desk, in the hotel laundry, in restaurant facilities,
hotel maintenance, etc. The salaries for most of the jobs
are lower as you are expected to improve your wages by
earning tips.
Restaurant Work
Restaurant work is easy to find.
It might be tiring to do, but you come into contact with
different types of people, and can make good money through
tips. Expensive restaurants have greater competition for
jobs, which usually offer better salaries and larger tips.
In coffee shops and diners, counterpersons or waitstaff
are needed. Large restaurants need bussers to clear the
tables, and kitchen and dishwashing staff. Most restaurant
jobs are found by walking in and speaking to the restaurant
manager.
Theme Parks
America has many theme parks, such
as Disney World, Six Flags, and Busch Gardens, which all
hire a lot of students each summer. The work opportunities
vary from operating the amusement park rides to selling
popcorn and candy, to working in various souvenir shops.
National Parks
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 and remote areas
of the US. Most of the jobs will be in the small towns around the perimeters
of the parks or in lodging centres within the parks. Some of the most interesting
are Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Great Smoky Mountains.
Get more information at: www.us-national-parks.net.
> Back to the top
Jobs You Can't
Do As A Work & Travel USA Participant
There are thousands of jobs to choose from and just a few that are forbidden:
 |
Au pair / nanny / babysitting / domestic
labour
If you'd like to find out more about our Au Pair program, click here. |
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Camp counselor / teacher / coach |
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Medical / veterinary / pharmaceutical services or any
job that requires direct patient contact or dispensing of medication |
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Adult Entertainment Industry Jobs |
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Crew member on ships or aeroplanes, or as pilots |
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Sales jobs involving purchasing sales merchandise to
resell (e.g. door-to-door sales). |
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Employment through staffing agencies |
Housing
Short Term Housing
For the first few nights at your US arrival destination, you may need short-term
accommodation before settling in to your longer-term housing. You should make
a reservation before you arrive at your final destination to ensure a bed or
room upon arrival.
- Visit HostelWorld.com for
online hostel reservations, tours and activities, and other useful information.
- The Youth Hostel Association runs
an on-line booking service, so you can pre-book your nights at cities throughout
the US.
- YMCAs and YWCAs also
provide affordable temporary lodging.
There are many low-cost motel chains throughout the US. Motels are good for
small groups, as you will usually pay for the room, not per person. Most rooms
contain two large beds. If you have an ISIC card, you will get discounts at
budget motel chains across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Consult your ISIC handbook
for more details, or visit STA's
website.
Once you have settled in you may like to secure longer term accommodation.
Check local newspapers for accommodation options. The following links below
provide some suggestions.
 Accommodation:
Hotels, Hostels
Accommodation: Longer-Term
Local US Newspapers
Local Area Info
Maps
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Obtaining a Social
Security Number
Click
here for more information on obtaining a Social Security Number
> Back to the top
 Taxes
Click
here for more information about taxes.
> Back to the top
Participant Support
PROBLEMS - WHO TO CONTACT
CIEE
300 Fore Street
Portland, ME 04101 USA
Tel: 1-888-268-6245
Fax: 207-553-5000
Email: wat@ciee.org
Web: www.ciee.org
General Questions & Non-Emergencies
Tel: 1-888-Council (1-888-268-6245)
Business Hours
9:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday
24 Hour Emergency Line
1-888-Council (1-888-268-6245)
What is not an emergency?
- General information about jobs and housing
- Social Security and tax problems
- Employee/employer concerns
- Loss of DS-2019 form and/or I-94 form
- Loss of passport
- Basic legal information
- Change of flight - contact airline directly
- Homesickness
- Disliking job
What is an emergency?
- Death
- Medical Mental Health emergency
- Victim of a crime
- An arrest
WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
Call 911 for the police, fire department or an ambulance. Make
sure you answer all questions clearly and carefully. Do not be afraid to approach
the police at any time. If you are lost and see a policeman nearby, ask for directions.
They will more than likely be able to assist you. When dealing with the law authorities,
CIEE will provide verification of your status to law enforcement officials, but
you will be expected to pay any fines or face any charges you have incurred.
To avoid problems, take the time to learn the state and local laws for the city
in which you are residing, e.g., minimum drinking age, traffic regulation, and
drug enforcement policies. If you are accused of having committed a crime, the
best advice in most circumstances is to talk to CIEE or a lawyer before you answer
any questions. |
