Pools to pumping gas: warmest, coldest jobs in the winter

For some, leaving the comfort of a warm home to go to work feels dreadful in the recent frigid temperatures. But for others, it’s a toastier transition.

Cassandra Shaw’s been pumping fuel at the Rochdale Crossing Co-op gas bar for the past three years. With a trio of winters under her tuque, she said she knows a thing or two about keeping warm.

“It’s more a change of underclothes, so long johns, socks and if you wear long-sleeved shirts, bring an extra pair — just so you’re nice and warm,” she said, noting it’s not uncommon to change layers a couple times per shift.

However, Shaw said working in the wintertime isn’t so bad if the wind is down and there’s no ice on the ground.

“It’s just nice to be outside, getting the fresh air,” she said.

Meanwhile — just across the parking lot — lifeguard Michaela Leimgardt’s tucked away in the northwest YMCA’s indoor pool, which generally sits around 28C.

“I’m really happy I work indoors. There’s not a lot of jobs where you get to wear a pair of shorts to work, so it’s kind of cool,” she said, adding she’ll even make the frosty trek from her car to the pool in shorts.

Plus, she said a bonus is being able to avoid the negative, cold weather small talk.

“You get to see a lot of different people — and a lot of different people who are outside. If they’re in (the pool), they’re really happy they’re indoors,” she said. “That’s the best part: being around happy people.”