The Beginning and Motivations

Hello Vanessa! Let’s start from the beginning: what made you decide to work as a seasonal worker in the mountains? Was it passion, financial necessity, or the desire for a change of scenery?

Vanessa: I didn’t go there out of passion but for the money, as they offered a good salary. The interview seemed promising in terms of earnings, so I went far from home to save up some money.

Why did you choose San Candido? Did you have any previous experience in the mountains, or was it a completely new discovery for you?

San Candido wasn’t my first choice. I had no experience in the mountains; my decision was driven by the need to find a job rather than a personal preference.

Before leaving, what expectations did you have about the job and life there? Did you have a clear idea, or did you improvise?

I expected much more organization, considering it was a multinational company. I thought there would be more benefits and a more appealing working environment.

The Job: Reality vs. Expectations

How did you find this job? Was it easy, or did you have to send out dozens of applications before getting a response?

I was lucky. A former colleague from another job was already working there, so I didn’t have to apply. I only had to go through an interview, and I didn’t face many difficulties in securing the job.

What was your exact role, and what did a typical workday look like? How physically and mentally demanding was it?

My role was that of a bartender. My day started at around 7:20 AM when I arrived at the cable car station. Every day, I had to walk four kilometers to get there, which was quite slow-going. My job involved preparing drinks at the counter, and my shift ended around 4:00 or 4:30 PM. There were a lot of customers, many of whom were rude.

Physically, it wasn’t too exhausting, but standing for long hours and handling a heavy workload was tiring. However, the most exhausting part was dealing with the people—both customers and colleagues.

Were there any promises made by your employers that were not kept? (Salary, meals, accommodation, rest days…)

During the interview, I was promised a meal and accommodation, which was supposed to cost €170 per month—so in reality, it was just a partial contribution. My salary was supposed to be €1,900, but I never actually received that amount. The promises weren’t kept, and my pay grade wasn’t what I was initially told.

Many say seasonal workers are exploited and underpaid. Did you ever feel that way? If so, in what way?

Yes, because being part of a large company, they tried every possible way to pay less and avoid certain contributions. Maybe I was unlucky because I worked in a big place rather than a smaller, more personal setting.

Did you have any issues with your salary? Was it enough considering the cost of living in San Candido? Were extra hours or overtime paid correctly?

Everything that wasn’t initially paid was later included in the payslip. There were extra hours, but since there weren’t 40-hour contracts per week, they would say, “You have eight hours of overtime.” That gave me an idea of what my paycheck would look like at the end of the month.

San Candido is a small but expensive town. Luckily, I didn’t have to pay for full accommodation, but weekly grocery shopping cost at least €50 for just the essentials. Eating out was around €30 per person, and fuel was an additional cost—€1.87 per liter in Italy, while in Austria, it was €1.66. The distance from the workplace also added extra expenses, and I didn’t have all the benefits I expected from the accommodation.

How was your relationship with your superiors? Did you feel respected and valued, or were you just another number?

I felt like just a number. Almost 90% of the staff changed every season, so I was just passing through. The only consolation was working with a friend, but there was a lot of inconsistency between managers, and communication was poor.

Life as a Seasonal Worker: Pros and Cons

What were the best moments of your experience? Was there a particular moment when you thought, “This was worth it”?

Yes, the mountains—the view of the Dolomites. For someone who had never been there, it was extraordinary. I also made a new friend, which helped break the monotony. But apart from that, I can’t say I had truly great moments.

And the most difficult moments? Did you ever think about quitting?

Absolutely. Especially during the three-week holiday rush for Christmas and Carnival, when I had no days off. After 21 days of nonstop work, being told that I still wasn’t doing enough was overwhelming. The workplace environment was toxic, and there was no motivation to continue. However, quitting mid-season was difficult because finding another job at that point wasn’t easy.

How was the work environment among colleagues? Was there team spirit or competition? Did friendships form, or was everyone looking out for themselves?

The environment was very stressful and unpleasant. There were mostly fake friendships, and people would talk behind each other’s backs. There was no real teamwork, no competition, just self-interest. To keep your job, you had to align yourself with the managers rather than work collaboratively.

After intense workdays, how did you spend your free time? Could you relax and enjoy the mountains, or were you always too tired?

Most people drank in their free time. At first, I did nothing—I finished work, went back to my apartment, and rested. By 5 PM, it was already dark, and there wasn’t much to do. Everything closed early, so my evenings were limited to showering, eating dinner, and sleeping.

What was the accommodation like? Was it provided, or did you have to find it yourself? Were there any issues with its condition or price?

The cost (€170) was deducted from my paycheck. I was promised proper housing, but that wasn’t the case. Fortunately, I didn’t have to share a room, but the place was very basic. I had to provide all necessities myself, and it was in an inhumane state when I arrived—extremely dirty.

Did you find mountain life different from city life? In a better or worse way?

It’s very different, neither better nor worse, just something you adapt to. There are fewer conveniences, and you have to plan everything, even simple things like going out for sushi. It’s a lifestyle focused on home and family.

The Italian Job Market and Future Plans

In Italy, seasonal jobs often mean low wages and instability. How did you perceive it firsthand? Did you feel protected or exploited?

I felt completely exploited, even though the salary was relatively high. There was a lot of instability, depending on where you ended up working.

What should change in the industry to make seasonal work more fair and sustainable?

Companies should train managers properly, be honest with employees moving far from home, offer more support, and provide decent accommodation.

Would you do another season in the mountains, or would you look for something more stable?

It’s a good experience to challenge yourself, but when promises aren’t kept, it’s frustrating. I wouldn’t return to the last company I worked for, but I would consider another seasonal job in a different location.

What advice would you give to someone considering a similar experience? Is there anything you wish you had known before leaving?

I’d say go with an open mind. Don’t expect stability, and don’t assume you’ll make a lifelong career out of it. It’s an opportunity to save money and grow personally.

What’s the biggest lesson you took away from this experience?

That I’m capable of stepping out of my comfort zone and overcoming challenges. Even if the salary hadn’t been high, I would have gone just for the experience—it helped me grow as a person.