Two and one-half weeks left in the school year and Students and Partners alike are scurrying around finalizing their summer arrangements. I think that if you make the decision about what to do over the summer before you start job-hunting, you’ll save a lot of headache later. I’ll be joining my husband while he interns in New Jersey but many other Partners will stay in Hanover for the summer and others will go “home” to spend some time with extended families.
Along for the Ride
We knew from the start that I would be going along for the summer so I only looked for jobs that were temporary or seasonal. It took awhile to find something that worked, but I was patient and eventually I found my job in Admissions, where I work only during the school year.
(At this point in the story, I should disclose that my Student works in Consumer Products – typically a pretty family-friendly industry without crazy work hours. If your Student works in investment banking or travels around the country as a consultant, it might not make any sense for you to wherever he/she goes for the summer if you won’t see much of each other anyway!)
I’m looking forward to taking some time to catch up on my reading, traveling to see friends and family and, if things work out well at his internship, spending some time in what could be our hometown for the next few years.
The Staycation
From what I hear, “staying behind” can actually be a great way to spend the summer! The obvious benefit is getting to keep a job (and a paycheck) through the summer. Plus, summer in the Upper Valley is incredible – hiking, biking, kayaking, camping… There’s a different farmers’ market every day in one of the neighboring towns
If you have kids, this may be the only feasible option – a two- or three-bedroom place here works out a lot better than your Student’s cramped (shared?) place in Boston or New York. Again, it’s the time to take advantage of everything the area has to offer from visiting local farms
You don’t have to make the decision now, just keep it in the back of your mind so that when you do start job-hunting, you can make the best decision for you and your family!
Read the full article: Partners, Employment and What to do About the Summer