by Leigh Goessl

Created on: July 25, 2010   Last Updated: October 19, 2010

Summertime is a great time for individuals to earn some extra money, but for others it can be undesirable because they would rather be off having fun in the sun. In other instances a job may be a full time gig, and is a fine job for most of the annual seasons, but the increased temperatures of summer make the job less than enjoyable during those months.

In many regions the summer months are often accompanied with extreme heat, unbearable humidity and just an overall feeling of discomfort. Instead of lounging on the beach or sitting at the pool sipping a cool drink, people working in certain summer occupations are subjected to less than optimal conditions.

Here are a few of the worst summer jobs:

• Roofing

Roofing is an awful job in the summer. Climbing up on top of a scorching roof and spending hours pulling off old shingles and hammering in new ones in the sweltering heat is not only uncomfortable, but have safety considerations. In addition to contending with the summer climate there is a high risk of dehydration and losing balance. Roofers have to be pretty careful with taking care of their body's needs while getting the job done in a timely fashion.

• Highway Maintenance

Doing highway maintenance can be another terrible summer job. These employees perform many tasks which range from picking up trash to mowing grass along the roadside as the sun beats down on their backs. Highway maintenance crews not only contend with the heat from the weather, but also feel the heat coming from vehicles on a busy thoroughfare. This job requires a lot of perseverance under often terrible and hot conditions.

• Landscaping

In many ways landscaping is a great summer job, but when it comes to cutting lawn after lawn and digging and planting flora, this job can be downright terrible in the roasting heat. Many landscaping companies also do patios and driveways; pouring tar and concrete on a hot summer's day is probably not anyone's idea of a great time.

• Construction Flaggers

Construction flaggers direct traffic out on the hot pavement all day long. These employees often don not get the opportunity to jump in the shade for relief because they cannot leave their post. Standing still for hours on end subjected to the heat of the road and high outdoor temperatures directing cars is a less than ideal summer occupation.

• Roadside Advertisers

Many companies in busy commercial areas or located near busy roads often hire individuals to stand alongside of roadways and hold up advertisements to entice customers to come check out a sale or other store event (furniture stores are notorious for this). This job doesn't allow much flexibility for movement and employees are usually restricted to their designated street corner to stand in the sizzling heat. Sunscreen is a must in this occupation.

• Night Security

Night security guards have it pretty rough too, but in a different sort of way. While they do not have to deal with being outside in the heat, these individuals have to get their sleep during the daylight which means they miss out on beautiful summer days, then they lose nights as well. Not to mention summer nights can often occur with sticky and humid conditions.

Some summer jobs can be pretty much a drag. If you don not want to endure the sweltering and uncomfortable conditions that come with some types of jobs, you are better off either finding a job in air conditioning or at least one in which there is some ability to escape the heat temporarily throughout the day.

Learn more about this author, Leigh Goessl.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.