The warm weather is nearly upon us. That means, it's time to freshen up your resumé to find new means of fattening your pocket for next year. The passing of each school year brings new possibilities for summer employment, so keep an open mind to what's out there!

For the adventurous types, the possibilities are endless for employment in the great outdoors. There's tree planting, work in agriculture, tourism, landscaping, and perhaps even a job on a beach somewhere if you're really lucky—anything under the warm sun seems promising. But for those of you who are feeling a little bolder than the rest, Canada's Arctic is waiting.

Explore the north

Last year, Parks Canada began a three-year partnership with Students on Ice to send 13 Canadian post-secondary students on an expedition to the Arctic for the summer. From May to late August, Parks Canada employs six post-secondary students from Southern Canada and seven from the north. Two weeks of their time are spent exploring the Arctic by land and sea. The lucky 13 are paid according to the Parks Canada Rates of Pay for Students.

Parks Canada has partnered with Students on Ice to build bridges, awareness, and understanding between Southern and Northern Canadian youth and to increase the connection of Canada's youth to Parks Canada's places in Northern Canada, says Don Marrin, executive director of Northern Canada for Parks Canada. Students that participate in this initiative will be provided a life-changing experience of discovery, understanding, transformation, inspiration, connection, and change for youth from across Canada.

What's involved?

Upon their return from the far north, those employed are expected to deliver educational presentations at science centres, museums, and zoos to the public in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, while also supporting Parks Canada's promotions and social media campaigns. Parks Canada's goal for the students is to garner a greater awareness of Northern Canada's environment, its social and cultural base, and its future economical opportunities. This unique opportunity also gives students the chance to meet other like-minded young people from Canada's north.

Students from Southern Canada will be able to share their experiences with other youth in Canada's three major cities, thus building on their leadership and communication skills, says Marrin. It will also contribute to the capacity building and development of future aboriginal leaders in the north.

Truly, this is an opportunity not to be missed; you can go to a place seldom visited by Southern Canadians and make great new friends along the way! So trade in your swim suit for a nice new pair of hiking boots, polish up that resumé and cover letter, secure your references, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

For these positions, Parks Canada is looking for highly motivated team players with an interest in Canada's Arctic and with excellent communication skills to deliver dynamic engagement and public outreach programs in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, says Marrin.

Photo: Achim Baqu├â┬®/Thinkstock