Customer Reviews

The Back Door Guide to Short-Term Job Adventures : Internships, Extraordinary Experiences, Seasonal Jobs, Volunteering, Work Abroad

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I first glanced through the book I didn't think it had a lot to offer. Many of the jobs were volunteer and I needed income. There were not tons of choices in that respect, but some nice ones. It is really good for people who have the desire to try something different, money and luxuries notwithstanding. The writing is whimsical and holistic, yet it doesn't romanticize the type of jobs. People who want to find a future of stability and high income should look elsewhere, anyone who wants to walk on the other side for a bit may want to pick it up. I'm currently happily teaching English in Japan thanks to this book.

Michael Landes does an incredible job of simplifying a very difficult process.

This is one-stop shopping for a tremendous amount of useful information. The layout and graphics make it a very easy read and all of the information is very accessible.

You can't help but get excited about travel after browsing through this book. If you use it as a tool, you are sure to find many new opportunities that you would never be able to uncover on your own.

I highly recommend it.

I have to agree with most of the other people who gave this book a brilliant 5 STAR rating!! The Back Door Guide is an inspiration to anyone and everyone who wants to live a full and enriching life, including students, job changers and professionals. I was immediately hooked by Landes' genuine, down-to-earth and humorous writing style and equally impressed with the plethora of insider tips and resources. As an avid traveler and adventurer, I found the "Abroad Adventures" section to be particularly helpful for finding the right kind of short-term overseas opportunities - from teaching English, to arranging an internship in Germany, to volunteering in Latin America. Instead of spending endless hours on the internet clicking through site after site to find the right program, Landes' book has all the best programs and resources at my fingertips so I don't even have to turn on my computer. I will be referring to this book repeatedly everytime I need a motivational boost, words of encouragement, tips on an adventure career, like with Club Med or a cruise ship, or if I'm planning my next overseas adventure! Great job!

I went WILD for this book the minute it came out. I constantly RAVE about it as the single best internships/short-term jobs book yet -- hands down. The first chapters alone are worth the price of the book (and more). Reading them is like drinking from a fountain of youth and listening to a great, wise teacher. And then there's the job listings: pearls worth a great price. Guaranted you'll find an adventurous job in here that knocks you off your rocker! Get this and read it. It will change your life.

This is by far the most comprehensive, user-friendly and inspirational guide on internships, short-term jobs and volunteer opportunities. Its holistic approach provides the perfect blend of information and insight through an abundance of detailed listings, resources, advice, topics, stories and quotes. The energy and excitement conveyed throughout the book is highly contagious and refreshing. Back Door is an invaluable tool for anyone who dares to dream about and discover life's endless possibilities!

Ever wanted to dream of what your next career adventure might be ? Ever wanted to start making that dream a reality ? Then Mike's book is for you !!

Imagine yourself in a shopping mall offering exciting places to go, fun people to work with, and important tasks to be undertaken. Some stores don't appeal to you, and you walk on by. But, other shops entice your interest and you peek inside. You wander around the mall, considering your options, weighing where to spend your time and effort, and then figuring out how many products and services to indulge in. Isn't life like that ? So much to do, and so little time ? The Back Door Guide to Short Term Job Adventures is certainly like that - I just want to get up and go - I just can't wait to start on so many of these fun opportunities !!

After your little 'shopping' experience, the real strength of this book is the details provided about all the wonderful organizations - there's brief information on what you might be working on, how much you could get paid, what sorts of people they are looking for, and when and how to apply. Most importantly, there's contact details to follow up - a person's name, their phone number, title, and email. And that's for hundreds of opportunities !! OK, now ... about next summer ...

When I was debating whether to buy this book, I looked for information on which nationalities it was most suitable for, couldn't find anything, so bought it just to see. I was disappointed that this book primarily focuses on American job seekers. It does have some jobs available to "internationals" but they are few and far between. I sent it back. Great if you are from/in the US, not worth it if you're not.

I got this book to find practicle advice for working overseas. I didn't need to get long lists of addresses for places and people I wasn't interested in. Finding a job or volunteer positions isn't that hard, just hit the job boards and look. What I needed was practicle advice on what to do once you have the position, what are the pitfalls, what are the rewards, what is it like. I didn't need tons of addresses that every person who buys this book is going to send inquiries to for a position that may or may not exist. A hour online would do that quicker, offer more variety, have up to date offers for positions and give more immediate results. Unless you just need the addresses and the limited information it does offer, pass this one by, especially if your interested in being overseas.