If you can’t find a summer job, make sure you do something! Employers and professional schools will wonder what you did with your summers. Have something to put on your resume and something to talk about in interviews. More importantly, get information and experiences to help you move forward with your career ideas!
Cynthia has these ten great suggestions for you:
Use an Agency: Temporary employment agencies are a great way to get placed into project or temporary work for clerical, data entry, factory, and such positions. It doesn’t cost you anything so it is worth a try! Do a Google search for agencies in your area. Some examples of agencies are ProStaff, Man Power, and Robert Half.
Project Work: Put the word out to family and friends that you are looking to make money. Paint a room or a house, build a fence, landscape a yard, watch kids… whatever!
Volunteer: Check out the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and Idealist to find volunteer opportunities. This is especially a great idea if you can volunteer in a way related to your career interests! Interested in the environment? Check out the Department of Natural Resources volunteer opportunities. Like kids? Check with churches and youth centers. Use your imagination! Volunteer at special events, community celebrations, fairs, or the state fair. You don’t have to get paid for experiences have them add value to your resume.
Study: Thinking about graduate or professional school? This could be the perfect time to study for the admissions exams. Check out the GRE, LSAT, and MCAT.
Learn: What skills would make you a better candidate for the careers of interest to you? Better writing abilities? Check out the Loft Literary Center for writing classes and groups. Interested in the arts? Check out Springboard for the Arts for workshops on how to make a living as an artist. Learn new software, create a website, write a blog! Take a class or study on your own.
Career Research: Learn about careers that might interest you. Start with ISeek and Spotlight on Careers (contact the Career Center for our username/password for Spotlight). Both have tons of career information and resources. Remember that professional associations are great places to get career info.
Create Job Search Tools: Write a resume, write a cover letter, learn how to interview! The Career Center webpage has info on all! The Career Center IS open over the summer, so email resumes and cover letters for review if you wish. Create an account on InterviewStream using your gac email address to learn how to interview – and record your practice interviews via webcam. Go to Better Talking to practice for a phone interview. Update your GNET profile. Buy a suit!
Informational Interviews: Find people who are doing jobs of interest to you or employers of interest to you. Call or email them and ask for a fifteen minute conversation about their work. Dress professionally, show up on time with prepared questions including: What was your first job out of college? How did you find you first job in your field/company? What could I do while in college to prepare for positions like yours or with your company? Who else should I talk with? What other ideas, suggestions, advice do you have for me? Respect their time! Do not overstay your welcome! Send a handwritten thank-you note within two days.
Job Shadow: If you know what types of positions or fields you are interested in, seek out employers and/or people to job shadow for a day or part of a day. Professional associations are often a good resource to find job shadow possibilities. Email or write asking for a job shadow. Include your resume so they can see your background. Send a thank-you note within two days of completing shadowing.
Follow Your Interests: If you are interested in architecture and live in the Twin Cities – visit great buildings! If you are interested in international cultures – visit the many cultural exhibits, celebrations, and events over the summer. Interested in broadcasting? Tour TV and radio stations or become a part of studio audiences. Interested in the environment? Visit parks and nature areas. If you say you are interested in something – show your interest by attending, visiting, and showing up!