Summer Job or Internship in Latvia
The academic year is coming to an end, and of course, we can't wait for the well-deserved rest after a long, long semester. But let’s be honest — while taking the full three months off sounds fantastic, it’s also worth thinking about how to use this time to kickstart your career or perhaps simply earn a bit of money. Personally, I’ve always used the summer to take on some work, so I know well what it’s like to look for jobs both in hospitality and internships at various companies in Latvia.
The good news is that there are opportunities. Companies often look for helping hands during the summer months — both larger companies whose employees go on vacation, and hospitality businesses like cafés, restaurants, and hotels, as well as agricultural companies that need seasonal workers to help out in the countryside.
Although not all jobs require knowledge of the Latvian language, it can be very helpful during your job search, if only because most job listings are written in Latvian. In hospitality roles, if you’re working directly with customers, Latvian language skills are essential. While younger generations in Latvia speak English fluently, older generations often learned other languages in school, and the law requires that you be able to serve customers in the official state language. The good news is that the required level is often just B1–B2.
On the other hand, in internships at larger companies, jobs that aren’t customer-facing, and of course in agriculture, you’ll find it easier to get a position even if you’re still at the beginning of your language-learning journey. And don’t forget — here at OLS, we offer various courses to help improve your language skills for working in different fields or preparing for job interviews.
Another thing employers in Latvia want to see is your experience — something that shows you’re a responsible employee. Understandably, during your studies, you might feel that your work experience is limited, but you’re not alone in this — many young people across Europe feel the same way. That’s exactly why the European Union offers the Youth Pass. The Youth Pass is a standardized European document that records the skills you’ve gained through “Erasmus+” and “European Solidarity Corps” projects. If you’ve taken part in Erasmus+ or ESC projects, you’ve likely received a Youth Pass certificate that outlines the experience and competencies you gained. Volunteering also counts as experience, and participation in mobility programs helps develop various skills. In any case, it’s a great way to demonstrate your abilities to future employers, and since it’s an EU initiative, your Youth Pass certificates are valid in all EU countries.
Good luck — and let us know in the comments how your summer job search is going!
Vita, OLS Community Manager - Latvian