Nomadic living is on the rise. Worldwide, there are now 35 million digital nomads, who generate $787 billion per year towards the global economy.

Most modern nomads usually choose tech-driven careers like marketing, website development, or programming. 73% of these people say they chose life on the road to promote a better work-life balance, while 43% say they want to avoid office politics.

However, digital nomadism isn’t the only way to travel and work.

If you’re thinking about living on the road, you may want to consider taking up some seasonal work between stops . This will give you a chance to meet new people and can help fund your future travels.

What is Seasonal Work?

When most people picture seasonal work, they imagine hard labor and poor working conditions.

While some seasonal work is labor-intensive, most jobs have well-defined working hours and great pay.

You may have to complete some additional training to qualify for the role but can become a river guide or ski instructor as soon as your skills are up to par.

Seasonal work has plenty of perks compared to digital nomadism, too. The benefits of seasonal work include:

• Flexibility: Seasonal work usually offers flexible working hours meaning you can take as much, or as little, work as you like.
• Additional Income: Many seasonal jobs pay well during peak times. You may also be able to pick up additional income through tips if you provide a great service.
• Networking: Seasonal work gets you out into the world and helps you meet great people. These connections can prove to be extremely beneficial in years to come, particularly if you’re trying to break into an industry like hospitality or outdoor recreation.
• Skill Development: You’ll learn plenty of new skills while you guide folks through whitewater rapids or teach young children how to ski. These skills will look great on your resume and will serve you well for years to come.

Seasonal work can be particularly beneficial if you’re looking to enter an industry related to the job you’re completing.

For example, if you want to get into hotel management, a seasonal position at the ski lodge is the perfect way to better understand the industry.

Before leaping headfirst into the best seasonal jobs out there, it’s important to recognize the challenges associated with seasonal work.

Depending on the job, you may experience inconsistent income and limited job security. This is because seasonal work is driven by consumer demand and, when that demand wains, your services are no longer needed.

However, you can make a stable living from seasonal work by embracing flexibility and building your schedule around the fluctuations in market trends during the calendar year.

Spring

Spring is a time when many people take their first vacation.

This means that hotels and resorts are bustling as folks flee the city in search of a sandy beach and warm sun.

You can make the most of the warmer months by heading towards one of the best beach cities in the US. Consider basing yourself in towns like:

• Cape May, NJ: Cape May draws in plenty of big spenders from the financial capital of the US. You’ll also be surrounded by plenty of interesting and aesthetic historic sites, which can be a real boon if you’re trying to grow your social media presence.
• Ocean City, MD: The Maryland coastline is known for its quiet beaches and friendly population. This makes it the perfect spot if you want to work in spring, but don’t want to be swamped by tourists.
• Cannon Beach, OR: This location is perfect if you’re based in the northwest and want to skip the crowds of California and the cold climate of Washington. You’ll be able to hike forests and parks on your days off, too.

Spring is the best time of year to work for a hotel or resort. You can earn plenty of tips to fund your summer fun, too.

Summer

Summer is a busy season for seasonal workers. If you love to play hard and see the world, you should orient your efforts toward the outdoor industry.

And if you’re interested in summer-seasonal work, consider browsing sites like Worldpackers and Workaway for positions like:

• Camping guides;
• Teaching;
• Surf instructor;
• Permaculture farming.

You can also choose to boost your skills and gain qualifications in the summer.

Many colleges and universities offer shortened summer courses that can improve your credentials and help you find more work in the future.

Just be sure to secure a job that allows you to take time off to complete coursework and attend classes.

Fall

Fall is a busy season for multiple industries. However, if you’re not interested in hospitality or outdoor adventure, you may want to consider agricultural labor.

Many farms need extra hands during the fall for harvest, and you will quickly build your knowledge while working in the fields and barns.

If you are looking for farmwork, be sure to pursue a position that aligns with your interests and can lead to future growth.

Seasonal farm work has a reputation for abuse and low pay. This means you can’t just apply for the first job you find without prior research.

Instead, try to find a position that offers apprenticeships and future development. This will give you the skills to build a career in the future should you decide to settle down.

The highest-paying agricultural jobs today can net well over $100,000 per year, too.

Winter

If you’re not a skier or snowboarder, the winter can be a tough time of year to find seasonal work.

However, winter in the northern hemisphere aligns with summer in the southern hemisphere.

If the idea of international nomadism is appealing to you, consider a work abroad job like teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL). You’ll just need to gain a TEFL qualification and a work-abroad visa in the country that you’re planning to visit.

Before heading off to summer in the southern hemisphere, declutter your current living space.

Start the process by getting rid of items you no longer need and use the funds to pay for the first few weeks of your travel.

Try to pack a few essential items that remind you of home, but send the majority of your non-essential items to charity shops and Goodwill.

Conclusion

The nomadic lifestyle is an appealing way of life for many.

You can thrive while working on the road by pursuing jobs that align with consumer demands.

In the spring and summer, consider working in hospitality or outdoor recreation.

Then, when harvest rolls around, you can pursue a job in the agricultural industry.

If the winter blues are getting you down, think about traveling abroad and teaching English as a foreign language at a few different schools.