The summer months are here, weeks of unproductivity, partying, sleeping and time-wasting lie ahead. Well that is for the average unproductive student. However, summer does not have to be filled with lazy days. There are many things that you can do in order to enrich your learning experience as well as earn a few extra dollars. What follows are some of the ideas other students have successfully used.
Internships
Summer internships are a great way to get real world experience in the field you are studying as well as make some money. Most internships pay, albeit a small sum, but what is most important about internships is that they give you something to boast about on your resume as well as the possibility of being employed by said company upon graduation.
The key to picking an internship is making sure that you have something to offer the company instead of just learning from scratch. While much of your internship will be a learning experience, basic knowledge in the field your internship is in is imperative if you want to have a chance at landing it.
Summer School
Summer class is not ancient and you don’t have to spend the entire summer in a classroom to get a couple extra credits and maybe fill out a few prerequisites for classes in the fall. Many community colleges offer split summer programs. While more intensive, they guarantee that you will not have to spend all summer studying but usually you can cover an entire semester’s work in just 8 weeks. Granted it’s a lot of studying and little of anything else but you have the option to graduate earlier and that’s always a plus, unless of course you absolutely adore college work.
Volunteer
There are so many ways you can volunteer and thankfully it can be an experience to travel as well. Whether it is an outreach group in your community or a mission trip to some other country, there are many of ways you can give back to others and thankfully many schools will recognize it if you are required to complete a certain amount of community service before graduation.
Study Abroad
Who wouldn’t like to be able to boast that they studied art in Paris or classical English literature in England or science and technology in Tokyo over the summer? There are many opportunities to study abroad over the summer and contrary to popular belief they are not as expensive as you might think. Most study abroad programs usually range from 6-12 weeks which should give you plenty of time to rack up a few credit hours to apply to your portfolio in the fall.
Work on a research project
This tip is especially great for those who are in the sciences. Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology and other majors might want to find a good research project to get your name attached to. If it gets published not only will it give you recognition, it can greatly boost your chances of getting into medical school or some other type of graduate level study.
Get a summer job
There’s always the possibility of getting a summer job and making some extra cash which can be used against those college bills or helping you get some wheels. In the very least you will have some good work experience, another line for your resume and some extra cash in your wallet.
If possible, find a summer job as close to the field that you are studying in, that way it looks better on your resume. For instance, if you are music major, getting a summer job at a grocery store might not be the best idea, but working at a music store or helping out in musical lessons might be a better idea.
Start a business
It may sound like a stupid or farfetched idea but you never know what possible success you could reach. Google and Microsoft are just two examples of corporations that were started by college students. The key to starting a business is to think like an entrepreneur. For some this comes naturally, for others it is a skill that requires much development. Whatever you do, pick a field that you have some sort of experience in.
No one is guaranteeing success, but you never know if you have the next winning idea or not. If you have friends who are willing to take the gamble with you, go ahead and let them in. if it becomes successful you might not have to work for anyone for the rest of your life. In the worst case scenario, you’ll lose a little money and gain a whole lot of experience in things not to do when starting a business.
Work at a summer camp
For those who love the outdoors, this will be a no-brainer. Not only will you get to spend your days and nights under the stars, but you can also help shape the future of some kid. Summer camps are great for resumes because those who are successful counselors or staff display good leadership qualities and this is imperative in the job sector.
Check your local camps or go online and find some. Pick a position that you think you are able to fulfill. Just be warned that being a counselor is a huge responsibility and you should not consider it if you have any sort of reservations concerning working with children.
Travel
This option might not be for everyone, but if money is not an object, you might want to consider taking a road trip over the summer or maybe a trip outside of your country. Traveling does not have to be expensive and it is possible to travel around the world on less than 3,000. It has been done before. Not saying you have to do it but the option is always there. If you enjoy meeting new people and going new places, than taking to the road or skies is definitely a good idea for you.
