Cassidy,
Welcome to DR1!
To your question, even once you are a legal resident, it is exceptionally difficult to find a job in which you will earn a "livable" wage (which is often defined as earning between 1,500-2,500USD, bare minimum).
If you are only looking to be there for six months, I'd encourage you to delay your trip until the end of the year and save up enough to live on for your time out there. In the alternative, I'd suggest you take up something you can do online, such as web work, or writing copy or consulting.
If your goal, on the other hand, is to use "work" as a means to network and get to know the society a bit better, then volunteer and/or take classes at one of the local universities.
Six months isn't very long, I'd save my cash and then spend my time touring the country in between classes/projects. Be safe and good luck!