„This changed my life“ – Opportunities to win creative summer jobs

Imaginative young people in creative summer jobs

„Taking part in creative summer jobs changed my life. I knew what my passion was; creating and art, but I found my purpose, because before that I had never had the opportunity to show that this was my path,“ says Þorbjörg Signý Ágústsson, who took up a creative summer job four years ago and is now one of two mentors.

In total, eleven people will have the opportunity this summer to win creative summer jobs. It was in the summer of 2021 that the City of Hafnarfjörður decided to revive the project “Creative summer jobs” which had been running in the summer of 2017. It has since gone from strength to strength. This will now be the sixth summer that the work has been on offer.

Job for 18-25 year olds

Thorbjorg describes how she had been in self-imposed rehabilitation when the opportunity for a creative summer job arose. „I wasn't doing well keeping a conventional job. My future best friend asked me if I wasn't going to take part in the creative summer jobs. Two days later, I'd applied and been accepted.“

She created the installation „Höfgar Nauðir“, a name from the Völuspá which means 'heavy chains', and installed it in Hellisgerði. 'Working with Klara Elíasar changed my life. I went from being isolated to having a voice and purpose in my everyday life. During that time, I went from being scared and insecure to having faith in myself. I took 700 steps every day towards my own self-confidence and empowerment," she describes. Now she has come full circle; Full Circle Moment.

„I'm in a position where I can relate to these individuals who are now in my former shoes; I have professional experience, but at the same time, I understand how they feel,“ she says. She has now graduated from Menntaskólinn á Tröllaskaga after studying remotely. The two paintings behind her are part of a series for her graduation project.

So, who can apply for the creative summer jobs? Individuals aged 18-25. The young people undertaking the creative summer jobs are tasked with bringing the town to life, making it more fun, beautiful and diverse through artistic and creative events. The projects are varied and appeal to different age groups and interests.

Often, two to three people work on a project together in this summer job, for which they are paid a two-month salary. Yes, it's a job that gives these creative individuals the opportunity to work at what they want to live for.

The advice after the application

What needs to be done to land the job? You need to write an application describing the project. This can be a challenge for many, and support and training for this is available from the staff at the Innovation Centre at Lækinn. It can often be difficult to put your ideas down on paper, but if you manage it, the job could be waiting for you.

„I'm really excited,“ says Thorbjorg. „I think it's going to be an amazing summer. I'm looking forward to getting to know them and contributing what I can. To see what they have to offer. There are incredibly exciting times ahead.“

Creative summer jobs are run as part of the Hafnarfjörður Work School.

Further information: Here

Thorbjorg outside the Innovation Centre by the Stream, where creative summer jobs are based this summer. She is one of the two mentors there.