One Week Job: North America

The One-Week Job Project was created in 2008 by Canadian resident and recent university graduate, Sean Aiken, who struggled to answer the question, “What should I do with my life?” Determined to discover his passion, he embarked on an epic journey throughout North America. His goal: work 52 jobs in 52 weeks to find his passion.

How it worked: Anyone, anywhere, could offer Sean a job for one week. Any money he earned for the work, he asked the employer to donate towards the Make Poverty History campaign.
Total earned = $20,401.60

On his inspirational quest, Sean tried everything: Bungee Instructor, Dairy Farmer, Advertising Executive, Baker, Stock Trader, Firefighter, and more. Wherever he could find work, he’d go there, find a couch to crash on and immerse himself in whatever profession was at hand. And then he’d move on.

The media covered the story extensively: The New York Times, Good Morning America, CNN, TIME, 20/20, CBC Newsworld, and countless others around the world. In Australia, Sean was featured on The Today Show on Channel 9, ABC, and the Australian Radio Network.

Thousands of people began following his adventures. They commented on the website, and wrote about the journey on their blogs. Hundreds joined the Facebook page. College students were relieved to find others uncertain of their careers. Baby boomers wrote how they’d found the courage to change their jobs, or go back to school and discover their passions once again.

Sean realized he hadn’t started on his own journey. He’d started a movement.

The One-Week Job Project continues to grow in North America – Sean’s book, The One-Week Job Project: 1 Man. 1 Year. 52 Jobs was published in May 2010 by Random House USA, and Penguin Books Canada, while the documentary, One Week Job, premiered in January 2011 on Canada’s national television network (CBC). Sean frequently speaks at schools and companies about his experience, and recently developed a program that grants others the opportunity to have a similar experience to his original journey by working a series of one-week jobs to help them find their passion.

With One Week Job: North America complete and interest from fans around the world, Sean is now focused on taking the One Week Job Project abroad.

One Week Job: Australia is the first international market and Sean will be traveling to Australia to help launch the project and act as a mentor for Paul throughout the journey.