Join The Conversation

We've now successfully completed four chats on My CoolWorks and all of the transcripts have been posted. See below for their individual links or visit the network to view them all.


Chat: Yellowstone National Park (Second half only)
Chat: Alaska
Chat: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Chat: National Parks


Each chat has a specific topic, but it is a free for all in terms of what is actually discussed. We have a very knowledgeable and curious tribe so I hope you'll join the network and share what you know and/or learn something new.


Our next chat will be on Monday, February 2 at 9pm Eastern / 6pm Pacific and we'll discussing the merits of working for the little guy as opposed to a large resort. Click here to view the details of this upcoming chat.


Upcoming Chat: Mom & Pops


Also feel free to stop by any time. Since now is the time to look for your summer job in earnest, many members are around throughout the day to lend an ear, dispense advice and just plain chat. Join us!

Summer Jobs Galore

No doubt, the job news is dire out there. I keep reading about the 7.2% unemployment rate, plus the greatest amount of jobs lost in this country since 1945, in addition to hearing friends announce that they've been laid off. There is bad news wherever you look. I am truly thankful that I have a job, a good one at that, and I like what I do. I am happy to share though, that this month is hoppin' on CoolWorks.com with lots of employers posting their summer jobs for 2009. It may be a while until the jobs actually start, but like many things in life the early bird gets the worm, so now is the time to start researching and applying to places you want to work this summer. Especially this year, where I predict that many more people will be applying for the same jobs so you best get a jump on your competition by contacting employers this month.

Here are a couple of ways to stay connected to the latest and greatest on Cool Works.

• Add the RSS feed of our What's New page to your favorite Reader. Simply click on the orange RSS button to make the jobs come to you.
  
• Join My CoolWorks, our social network specifically for summer job and seasonal job seekers. Tap into the resources of over 1800 members who have been there and done that.
  
• Post your resume to have targeted email notifications sent to you for only the type of jobs and places you are looking to work.
• Sign up for our email blast that highlights the newest jobs to be posted on our site and usually includes a bit of wisdom from the Cool Works crew.

We welcome your comments and feedback here. If there is anything we can do to help you find that dream job, please let us know.

Secrets of the Job Hunt - Kari Quaas on JobRadio.fm

Near the end of 2008, I was interviewed by Chris Russell of JobRadio.fm for a podcast discussing Cool Works and some tips on how to get summer jobs. You can learn more about this podcast and other secrets of the job hunt on the following link.

http://www.secretsofthejobhunt.com/profiles/blogs/cool-careers-from-coolworks

If you just want to listen to the podcast itself you can download it below.

Download MP3 (10 minutes)

Clergy Jobs Keep Workers Happy

If you're looking for a career that will keep you happy, you may want to look into clergy jobs.

The National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago conducted a poll that found members of the clergy have the highest job satisfaction. According to the survey, more than 87 percent of clergy are satisfied with their jobs. The survey is based on information collected from more than 27,000 people during two decades.

According to an article by BNET, the reason most people employed by the clergy stay happy is that they don't join the field with an expectation of becoming rich, but only with expectations of making a difference in the world.

"People are not going into the profession out of some sense of 'I want a lot of power and prestige,'" Cynthia Lindner, directory of ministry studies at the University of Chicago's Divinity School, said in the article. "Most of all my students would say, 'We want to help heal the world.'"

Clergy workers also came in as the happiest, with 67 percent describing themselves as generally happy. On the other hand, some experts were surprised to see clergy on top of the list, as many helping professions, such as doctors and nurses, often experience stress, making them unhappy.

"Apparently the rewards of spiritual guidance and leadership outweigh the burdens of being a religious leader," Tom W. Smith, director of the General Social Survey at the research center, said in the article.

After clergy members, firefighters were the most satisfied with their job at 80 percent and physical therapists at 78 percent, followed by education administrators, teachers, psychologists, authors, painters and sculptors.

According to the survey, those who were least satisfied with their work include roofers and waiters, followed by cashiers, laborers and clothing and furniture sales people. Garage and service station workers were the most unhappy, followed by roofers.