What's the difference between part-time, seasonal, and contract work?

Can anyone explain the difference between part-time, seasonal, and contract work? I'm trying to figure out which would be the best option for me to make some money during school breaks.

Of course! Making sense of different types of work is quite important, especially when planning your time around school. Let's break down each category.

1. Part-Time: Part-time jobs typically involve fewer hours per week compared to full-time jobs. While full-time is often 35-40 hours per week, part-time could be anything less than this, sometimes around 15-20 hours. These jobs can often provide some level of flexibility with scheduling, which could be a good fit for a student looking to work during school breaks or concurrently with classes. However, keep in mind that the availability of work is ongoing, not just confined to certain months or seasons of the year.

2. Seasonal: Seasonal jobs are temporary positions that are tied to specific seasons or periods during the year. These are often associated with increased demand at certain times, such as retail jobs around the holidays, tax preparation jobs in the early parts of the calendar year, or jobs in travel/tourism industries during peak travel seasons. These types of jobs may offer more hours during the peak season, but keep in mind the employment is not usually permanent—it ends when the season does.

3. Contract Work: Contract work is employment that is built around a specific task or project, or for a set period. The employer and the worker enter into a contractual agreement outlining the terms of the job. Contract work can be found in many fields, but it's common in areas like IT, consulting, and creative fields. Some contracts are short-term, for the duration of a specific project, while others can last for a year or more. Contract work can provide experience in a specific field and the opportunity to build skills, but it often lacks the benefits and security associated with regular full or part-time work.

In deciding what's the best fit for you, consider how much time you have to commit to a job and what your career interests are. If you're just looking to earn some extra money during breaks, seasonal work could be a great fit. If you want to gain experience in a field of interest, part-time or contract work might be ideal. Always take the time to thoroughly understand the terms of any job before you take it on.