Maximizing Your Summer as a College Student: What to Do When You Can’t Land An Internship
Summer is a valuable time for college students to explore new opportunities, gain skills, and prepare for their future careers. While internships are a great way to do this, they can be highly competitive, and not all students are able to secure one. However, not getting an internship does not mean that the summer is wasted. In fact, there are many ways that college students can maximize their time and make the most of their summer.
Take online courses
Online courses are an excellent way for college students to learn new skills or take classes that they were unable to during the previous year. Many universities and junior colleges offer online courses during the summer. Online courses are great as they offer the convenience of taking the class from anywhere the internet is accessible and often times you’re not restricted to a particular time. These courses can help students enhance their knowledge in a particular subject, add a new skill to their resume, or earn additional credits toward their degree. If this interests you, we suggest 1) checking the class requirements and 2) confirming that the credits earned are transferable, if you are attending another school.
Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way for college students to gain experience in their fields of interest while also giving back to their community. Many organizations, such as non-profits, hospitals, and schools, offer volunteer opportunities for students to get valuable hands-on experience, build their network, and make a positive impact on their community.
Work on personal projects
The summer break offers a perfect opportunity for college students to work on personal projects that they may not have had time for during the academic year. This could include starting a blog, creating a website, writing a book, developing a new skill, or simply taking up a new hobby. These projects not only help to develop creativity, communication, and problem-solving skills but also demonstrate initiative and motivation to potential employers.
Learn a new language
Being multilingual is a valuable asset that can help to set college students apart from others in the job market. The summer is an ideal time to focus on learning a new language, studying, and practicing existing ones. In addition to language immersion programs, there are many learning apps and online courses available that can help students to learn everything from the basics to mastering fluency. Some of these programs include Rosetta Stone, Babble, and Duolingo. We suggest checking your local park district or community center for in-person classes.
Network
Networking is an essential aspect of any career, and the summer is an excellent time for college students to build their network. Attend local networking events, reach out to professionals in your fields of interest (don’t forget to utilize your LINK Alumni network and LinkedIn to name a few), and connect with alumni from your university. These connections can provide valuable advice, mentorship, and could potentially lead to future job opportunities.
Travel
While traveling may not seem directly related to career development, it can provide a valuable opportunity for personal growth and learning. Traveling exposes individuals to new cultures, perspectives, and experiences, which enhance your life skills and create transferable assets in any career. The summer is the perfect time for college students to take advantage of exploring new destinations, learning new languages, and meeting new people. It can also give you foresight into studying abroad.
