So, finals are over and you still don’t have a summer job. That’s okay. There is still time to find plenty of opportunities to build your resume.
Here are some ideas:
Keep looking at online listings: Even though you are done with the school year and off campus, your school’s career services office is open all summer. Job listings continue to be posted all summer by employers. I frequently see summer jobs posted in June and even July. Many schools use a system called Handshake, which offers networking opportunities as well as job listings. There may also be summer jobs available on campus.
“Talk to your faculty. Talk to your school. They may have a summer incubator hub or projects for hire,” advises Annette McLaughlin, director of Fordham University School of Law’s Office of Career Services.
Look for micro-internships: Micro-internshipsare very short-term internship opportunities. Look at companies like Forage and Parker Dewey to find potential assignments in your area of interest. Also look at LinkedIn Learning for courses and other opportunities. These can help you build experience. You can also use these opportunities to check out potential growth areas in the job market.
“The trends are constantly changing,” McLaughlin said.
Do an internship for academic credit: Although you may not have found a paid summer job, you might find a volunteer experience that you can get credit for from your university. Many schools offer credit for internships both during the year and during the summer. Often, they involve an internship course that goes along with your work experience.
Take advantage of networking opportunities: Use the time off to start to network with alumni. LinkedIn is a good place to start. Your school’s online alumni directory is another resource. Many schools also have formal mentor programs where they will connect you with an alum.
Explore your interests: This is a great time to also explore your interests and potential careers. Look for professional associations with student memberships. Utilize sites such as “What Can I Do With This Major?,” which many colleges subscribe to. Take career inventories online, such as the Myers Briggs Type Indicator or the Strong Interest Inventory, which many colleges also offer to students free of charge, both during the academic year and the summer. These career inventories might help you define your future career goals.
“It’s all about exploring different pathways you might be interested in,” McLaughlin said.
Finally, don’t worry too much about the current job market or economy, even if we are in somewhat unpredictable times. There are always growth areas emerging, in any economy, according to McLaughlin.
“Chaos creates opportunity,” she said. “Some things are going down — others are going up. Even though you may be hearing negative news — there are always opportunities being created.”
