Ciao tutti!

I was hoping someone could give me some advice how to go about finding a summer job in Italy. I know a lot of people start out as English teachers, but it's really not of my interest and I would prefer something within the tourism industry (hotels, travel agencies, tours, but also translating). I speak several languages, including English, Spanish, Russian, Norwegian, and intermediate Italian.

Essentially, my questions is: How likely am I to find something just going in Italy in May and looking for work for the summer? Am I better off playing it safe and just find a job as an English teacher while looking for something else? Also, any advice to whether Florence or Bologna would be better, for those who have been there?

By the way, I do have a Master's degree in psychology, but I don't know how much that will help in the short run.

I know on-one can predict the outcome, but if anyone has done something similar, knows someone that has successfully (or unsuccessfully) made the transfer to the Italian job market, or have any other advice or information, I would be very happy to hear from you.

Thanks

Marcello!

hi marcello

U r very talented in languages n impressive master.
The job market here is terrible, even local have problem in finding jobs.
My opionion:
Master's degree in psychology - U can try to apply jobs in the hospital and pray for lots of luck in getting it.
Some story that i heard fr italians....i know this doctor in pediatrice, basically, she cant get a job in the hospital cos it is fully occupied n she has to wait for some1 to quit. So now she is praticising only when other doctor is on leave or holiday.
Another italian doctor in pediatrice, she cuts her maternity leave (6mths) to 3mths cos she scared her place is been replace by other doctor.

FYI, In summer, italians gradually start going to seaside n when in aug, italy city is almost a ghost town...it is a national holiday for almost 1 month. Italians move fr city to seaside. U may have better luck to find job at the seaside area in the hotel.

All the best in luck!

Thanks for your reply Amber!

I've heard many stories how hard it is to find a job in Italy. Maybe I'm a little bit stubborn, but at this point in my life, i feel I just need to give it a try anyway. I won't be very picky the first year or two (if I can make it that far) - just whatever it takes to get by. Once I get to know the language better and establish some contacts, maybe it will be a little easier - relatively speaking :)

Good luck to you as well.

Marcello!

This past summer I made friends with a young lady from Colombia who is now living in Italy.(grand parents are Italian)She speaks Italian, French, Spanish and enough English to get by. She said most places she applied to were very impressed with her language skills. She eventually got a job but don't remember exatly where. Will e-mail her to ask.

At any rate with your language skills it shouldn't be hard to get a job in some sector where they would need you to be able to communicate in the languages you know.

If nothing else you can always get a temporary job in un ristorante. Just go into to any eating place and ask if they need help.

I know the international Organization are under-funded but you could try at FAO - World Food Program - anything like that to use your language skills. Usually Master degree in Psychology are useful in personell offices from what I know.

Ciao

Thank you all for your encouraging words and advice.

Villa: If you hear from you Columbian friend, I would love to know how she got a job related to languages. Grazie!

...by the way, I'm still wondring what the best option would be in terms of maximizing the changes:

Florence - with it's abudance of tourism and probably more job oppoportunities - but with bigger competition from all the other English speakers looking for work

...or...

Bologna - with a large student population, and essentially being a "real" Italian city (not trying to offend anyone), but with fewer jobs (?) and fewer opportunities for language and tourism related work?

Secondo voi, quale cita e megliore per lavoro?

Grazie tutti per i vostri consigli!