Question: I’m a freshman and have had trouble finding an internship. I know it’s uncommon for freshmen to get internships, but I don’t want to do nothing this summer. What can I do to maximize my summer?
Dear CWIB reader,
First of all, I want to highlight some things that students often forget: not all internships are like the classic office job where you copy papers or get coffee for people at big firms, and some may not be paid. An internship is a position that students hold in an organization with the goal of gaining real work experience. It’s okay to think outside the box when considering internships. Just keep in mind that there are many more opportunities than you think of, so you just might have to be willing to look a little harder. Are there any passions you have that could be relevant to your major? You could ask a local business or charity if you could shadow someone who works there with your dream job. However, if you aren’t able to find anything, there’s always next year. In case you can’t find anything, below is a list of a few things that you can do to maximize your summer.
Clean up your resume: you may have already done this during winter break, but it’s always good to keep it updated.
Volunteer: getting involved in your community looks great on resumes!
Get a job and save: take the pressure off during the year by saving as much as you can during the summer!
Get ahead on a class or two: if you don’t have a hectic schedule, you can take a some basic classes at your local community college to get ahead.
Network with people you met on a company visit or at a coffee chat: Ask for tips on how to ace internship interviews or ideas for resume builders! This is a great first step to building your network!