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  Anonymous · June 29, 2010 at 11:58 am

  Review by for The Back Door Guide to Short-Term Job Adventures: Internships, Summer Jobs, Seasonal Work, Volunteer Vacations, and Transitions Abroad
  Rating:
  I’ve seen dozens of volunteer books, adventure-job books, online databases, etc., but this is still my favorite. While some other places may contain more addresses, and yet others more information on each contact, this achieves the perfect balance. Hundreds of exciting jobs await, many well-paying and many volunteer. I’ve spent countless hours browsing this book dreaming and have used it for one job so far (at an out-of-the-way resort in Olympic National Park).The chapters are divided usefully into sections on artistic pursuits, overseas jobs, environmental jobs, adventure jobs, farming jobs, etc., and are peppered with helpful anecdotes from people who’ve been there. The only drawback, as others have noted, is that the vast majority of listings are US-based. So if you wish to find more non-American jobs, try somewhere else, otherwise this is the best place to start dreaming AND doing!

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  Anonymous · June 29, 2010 at 12:28 pm

  Review by for The Back Door Guide to Short-Term Job Adventures: Internships, Summer Jobs, Seasonal Work, Volunteer Vacations, and Transitions Abroad
  Rating:
  When I first glanced through the book I didn’t think it had a lot to offer. Many of the jobs were volunteer and I needed income. There were not tons of choices in that respect, but some nice ones. It is really good for people who have the desire to try something different, money and luxuries notwithstanding. The writing is whimsical and holistic, yet it doesn’t romanticize the type of jobs. People who want to find a future of stability and high income should look elsewhere, anyone who wants to walk on the other side for a bit may want to pick it up. I’m currently happily teaching English in Japan thanks to this book.

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  Anonymous · June 29, 2010 at 1:03 pm

  Review by for The Back Door Guide to Short-Term Job Adventures: Internships, Summer Jobs, Seasonal Work, Volunteer Vacations, and Transitions Abroad
  Rating:
  Not only did this book help me to choose my next step, but several of my friends went out and bought the book. It took one to Olympia, Washington to work for AmeriCorps, one to Moab, Utah to teach at an outdoor school, and many others are looking through the pages now to try and give themselves a better grasp on all the possibilities that are out there.

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  Elizabeth C. Brown · June 29, 2010 at 1:49 pm

  Review by Elizabeth C. Brown for The Back Door Guide to Short-Term Job Adventures: Internships, Summer Jobs, Seasonal Work, Volunteer Vacations, and Transitions Abroad
  Rating:
  I guess the title is phrased badly; I assumed that this book was about internships abroad, summer jobs abroad, etc, but it is about internships, summer jobs, seasonal work, and volunteer vacations in the United States, as well as “transitions” (whatever that means) abroad. And this book is not really a guide, in that it doesn’t really give a lot of advice about different jobs and different fields. It is more a listing, like an address book of the most interesting companies (in the author’s opinion) offering short-term work, with a very shallow description of the job and its hiring preferences. The only part that was really a guide was the bizarre information on finding yourself and journaling and exploring your passions. Apparently other people found this really great, but I got a little sick of inspirational quotes and follow-your-dreams sidebars; there are plenty of career-advice and self-help books offering this information. Luckily, I borrowed this book from the library, which is where it should stay. If you’re looking for short-term opportunities in the United States, go to the library, look through this book, and take down the contact information for the companies you’re interested in.

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  Anonymous · June 29, 2010 at 2:33 pm

  Review by for The Back Door Guide to Short-Term Job Adventures: Internships, Summer Jobs, Seasonal Work, Volunteer Vacations, and Transitions Abroad
  Rating:
  I ordered a copy of “The Back Door Guide” when I was doing a lot of job searching while working as a seasonal assistant park manager for the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps during the summer. At that point in my life, I considered myself an expert “off the beaten path” job searcher and was doubtful that any job guide could provide me with novel inspiration in my quest. However, “The Back Door Guide” exceeded my expectations. It is the best resource for meaningful employment that I have stumbled upon in my years of seasonal work (and thus, frequent job searches). Thanks to Michael Landes for providing such a valueable resource.

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