Need to sample Michelin star food, watch Madonna strike a pose or see Yankees captain Aaron Judge slam a house run?
These are all perks that Zane Michael, 25, has enjoyed working as a brand ambassador at local events. He boosts his earnings with summer side hustles while working at Trader Joe’s in Chelsea and acting.
“Summertime is filled with opportunity,” said the Bushwick resident, whose typical gigs involve getting revelers to enroll in exchange for freebies. “Pride Month [June] is one of the vital lucrative months, considering town is gripped with celebration and unity.”
Five summers ago, Michael applied to booking agencies Assist Marketing and Brand Allure. He interviewed, waited out a vetting process that included background checks and was cleared to use to the gigs they posted.
He’s since attended events akin to the Governors Ball and US Open tennis, and now that he has experience and has forged connections with brands akin to Chase, BMW and Bank of America, marketing teams sometimes contact him directly for gigs.
Responsibilities don’t require meeting quotas, so he focuses on initiating friendly conversations.
“Managers don’t expect results from interactions; they expect effort,” said Michael.
He recommends signing up for tournaments for steadier work. “If it’s a concert or sporting event, you only work for that day and need to apply for more gigs. On the PGA tour, you could possibly work two weeks consistently. Just starting out, you would possibly get $20 to $25 an hour.”
Flexibility is vital to navigating roles and the weather. “Sometimes you’re at Pier 17 walking across the seaport, other times you’re lugging tables and water coolers through mud in Central Park for a running club,” said Michael. “Don’t expect glamour, but appreciate it if it finds you.”
Prior to 2019, marketing wasn’t on his radar, but because of these gigs, he would now “absolutely love” to work in marketing for a Broadway theater.
Michael isn’t alone in leaning into summer side hustling. In accordance with 2023 data from personal finance site Bankrate, nearly 39% of US adults have a side hustle, with one in three people needing the cash for day by day living expenses. And it helps: Side hustlers earn a mean of $810 extra per 30 days.
“Summer hustles could be great for earning more money,” said Cynthia Pong, JD, founder and CEO of Embrace Change, a Harlem-based profession coaching and training firm. “We should always all be constructing multiple income streams,” she said. Other perks are “meeting recent people, having a change of pace, learning or strengthening a skill set, in addition to spending time in nature or outdoors if the position provides the chance for that.”
An enormous win is when you’re capable of do something you like while boosting each your checking account and endorphins.
That’s what Bedford-Stuyvesant resident Stephanie Loehr has in store this summer.
She makes a tough stop every Thursday night at 6 p.m. in her role as director of planning at luxury fashion brand Alexander Wang. She then sprints to Pier 40 at Hudson River Park. Here, she’s a referee for NYC Footy, a coed soccer league. After officiating three or 4 games, by about midnight, she calls it a day, having run between five and 7 miles in the course of the matches.
“If I wasn’t doing this, I’d swap it out with another exercise. I’m fortunate that I can have a side hustle that could be a hobby,” said Loehr who played soccer in highschool and college.
She’s also kicking around recent work skills.
“As a ref, you’re forced to be decisive, to be in charge and at the identical time enable the flow of the sport,” said Loehr. “For those who’re keeping a friendly demeanor with people no matter how they’re reacting, that may diffuse situations, which I feel might be life skill.”
NYC Footy plans to rent 70 to 90 referees this summer at a starting hourly rate of $25. Loehr earns roughly $1,000 a month in the course of the season (which incorporates duties on one other weeknight and a few weekends).
Loehr found her way into the role five years ago, when, while playing Footy soccer, she asked a referee about officiating.
For those who don’t have an “in,” network, peruse summer opportunities online and apply to seasonal gigs at pools, camps, country clubs, hotels and restaurants.
Remember to spotlight any skills that transfer to the job, and negotiate pay, said Barbara Spitzer, founding father of Two Rivers Partners, a human capital and strategy execution firm downtown.
“Don’t sell yourself short,” she said. “Any gig, even when you mowed lawns on the country club golf course, can bring out the facility skills you deployed, akin to the power to create a positive customer experience as you interact with members out on the green.”
Moreover, when you have already got the foot within the door of a seasonal gig, a full-time job might find you. Adrian Klaphaak, profession coach and founding father of A Path That Suits, in Park Slope, said, “Do amazing work and construct meaningful relationships together with your co-workers and clients. For those who are adding value to the organization and popular with everyone, they may do every thing possible to maintain you around.”
That is what happened to Capt. Cait Field, 41, general manager at Classic Harbor Line, a year-round NYC fleet of motor yachts and schooners.
The Brooklyn resident grew up sailing small boats in Long Island and began working for Classic Harbor Line to assist get through grad school, where she was pursuing a Ph.D. in biopsychology.
During summer weekends, on top of her full-time job as Freshkills Park manager on the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, she worked with the cruise line, and while she enjoyed working full-time within the sciences, she couldn’t shake the maritime world.
“I just could never fully pull myself away from being on boats,” said Field, who joined the corporate full-time two years ago. “It’s at all times what I’ve most loved. Everyone should stay open to what their profession may seem like and the way it might evolve and alter.”
As captain, after being asked repeatedly to officiate weddings, Field now has one other side hustle — as a wedding officiant. After being asked repeatedly, “I assumed, ‘Well, why not?’” she said.
As you stay open to blossoming paths, keep logistics top of mind: Employers may set you up as a W-9 contractor or W-2 part-time worker, so know the tax and legal implications. Also make sure you’re not stretched too thin, since seasonal work can accumulate faster than a Recent York minute.
“Double-check your contract together with your full-time employer,” said Susan Weil, co-CEO of Midtown-based global profession advisory firm Weil & Wein and JobTreks, a free, curated database of firms. “Some employers limit your ability to work at other places.”
And advice when you’re going to be in your feet all day: “Stretch, soak your feet, at all times wear sneakers,” said Zane Michael. “If the event uniform demands dress shoes, orthopedic soled shoes can really help. Walking around Madison Square Garden for about six hours, they saved my life.”
Need to sample Michelin star food, watch Madonna strike a pose or see Yankees captain Aaron Judge slam a house run?
These are all perks that Zane Michael, 25, has enjoyed working as a brand ambassador at local events. He boosts his earnings with summer side hustles while working at Trader Joe’s in Chelsea and acting.
“Summertime is filled with opportunity,” said the Bushwick resident, whose typical gigs involve getting revelers to enroll in exchange for freebies. “Pride Month [June] is one of the vital lucrative months, considering town is gripped with celebration and unity.”
Five summers ago, Michael applied to booking agencies Assist Marketing and Brand Allure. He interviewed, waited out a vetting process that included background checks and was cleared to use to the gigs they posted.
He’s since attended events akin to the Governors Ball and US Open tennis, and now that he has experience and has forged connections with brands akin to Chase, BMW and Bank of America, marketing teams sometimes contact him directly for gigs.
Responsibilities don’t require meeting quotas, so he focuses on initiating friendly conversations.
“Managers don’t expect results from interactions; they expect effort,” said Michael.
He recommends signing up for tournaments for steadier work. “If it’s a concert or sporting event, you only work for that day and need to apply for more gigs. On the PGA tour, you could possibly work two weeks consistently. Just starting out, you would possibly get $20 to $25 an hour.”
Flexibility is vital to navigating roles and the weather. “Sometimes you’re at Pier 17 walking across the seaport, other times you’re lugging tables and water coolers through mud in Central Park for a running club,” said Michael. “Don’t expect glamour, but appreciate it if it finds you.”
Prior to 2019, marketing wasn’t on his radar, but because of these gigs, he would now “absolutely love” to work in marketing for a Broadway theater.
Michael isn’t alone in leaning into summer side hustling. In accordance with 2023 data from personal finance site Bankrate, nearly 39% of US adults have a side hustle, with one in three people needing the cash for day by day living expenses. And it helps: Side hustlers earn a mean of $810 extra per 30 days.
“Summer hustles could be great for earning more money,” said Cynthia Pong, JD, founder and CEO of Embrace Change, a Harlem-based profession coaching and training firm. “We should always all be constructing multiple income streams,” she said. Other perks are “meeting recent people, having a change of pace, learning or strengthening a skill set, in addition to spending time in nature or outdoors if the position provides the chance for that.”
An enormous win is when you’re capable of do something you like while boosting each your checking account and endorphins.
That’s what Bedford-Stuyvesant resident Stephanie Loehr has in store this summer.
She makes a tough stop every Thursday night at 6 p.m. in her role as director of planning at luxury fashion brand Alexander Wang. She then sprints to Pier 40 at Hudson River Park. Here, she’s a referee for NYC Footy, a coed soccer league. After officiating three or 4 games, by about midnight, she calls it a day, having run between five and 7 miles in the course of the matches.
“If I wasn’t doing this, I’d swap it out with another exercise. I’m fortunate that I can have a side hustle that could be a hobby,” said Loehr who played soccer in highschool and college.
She’s also kicking around recent work skills.
“As a ref, you’re forced to be decisive, to be in charge and at the identical time enable the flow of the sport,” said Loehr. “For those who’re keeping a friendly demeanor with people no matter how they’re reacting, that may diffuse situations, which I feel might be life skill.”
NYC Footy plans to rent 70 to 90 referees this summer at a starting hourly rate of $25. Loehr earns roughly $1,000 a month in the course of the season (which incorporates duties on one other weeknight and a few weekends).
Loehr found her way into the role five years ago, when, while playing Footy soccer, she asked a referee about officiating.
For those who don’t have an “in,” network, peruse summer opportunities online and apply to seasonal gigs at pools, camps, country clubs, hotels and restaurants.
Remember to spotlight any skills that transfer to the job, and negotiate pay, said Barbara Spitzer, founding father of Two Rivers Partners, a human capital and strategy execution firm downtown.
“Don’t sell yourself short,” she said. “Any gig, even when you mowed lawns on the country club golf course, can bring out the facility skills you deployed, akin to the power to create a positive customer experience as you interact with members out on the green.”
Moreover, when you have already got the foot within the door of a seasonal gig, a full-time job might find you. Adrian Klaphaak, profession coach and founding father of A Path That Suits, in Park Slope, said, “Do amazing work and construct meaningful relationships together with your co-workers and clients. For those who are adding value to the organization and popular with everyone, they may do every thing possible to maintain you around.”
That is what happened to Capt. Cait Field, 41, general manager at Classic Harbor Line, a year-round NYC fleet of motor yachts and schooners.
The Brooklyn resident grew up sailing small boats in Long Island and began working for Classic Harbor Line to assist get through grad school, where she was pursuing a Ph.D. in biopsychology.
During summer weekends, on top of her full-time job as Freshkills Park manager on the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, she worked with the cruise line, and while she enjoyed working full-time within the sciences, she couldn’t shake the maritime world.
“I just could never fully pull myself away from being on boats,” said Field, who joined the corporate full-time two years ago. “It’s at all times what I’ve most loved. Everyone should stay open to what their profession may seem like and the way it might evolve and alter.”
As captain, after being asked repeatedly to officiate weddings, Field now has one other side hustle — as a wedding officiant. After being asked repeatedly, “I assumed, ‘Well, why not?’” she said.
As you stay open to blossoming paths, keep logistics top of mind: Employers may set you up as a W-9 contractor or W-2 part-time worker, so know the tax and legal implications. Also make sure you’re not stretched too thin, since seasonal work can accumulate faster than a Recent York minute.
“Double-check your contract together with your full-time employer,” said Susan Weil, co-CEO of Midtown-based global profession advisory firm Weil & Wein and JobTreks, a free, curated database of firms. “Some employers limit your ability to work at other places.”
And advice when you’re going to be in your feet all day: “Stretch, soak your feet, at all times wear sneakers,” said Zane Michael. “If the event uniform demands dress shoes, orthopedic soled shoes can really help. Walking around Madison Square Garden for about six hours, they saved my life.”
