No summer internship? No problem!

Mikayla Anding
Web Content Contributor

Summertime for college students looks like many different things. It could look like going on trips with friends and family, working a job to save up for next year’s school expenses, or, of course, having an internship hopefully pertaining to your major. With the competitive atmosphere we students face to find jobs and internships, maybe not everyone has been so lucky to get their dream position if any at all. And that’s ok!

According to a study conducted by Chegg, one in 10 students gain internship experience after they are graduated. While internships are helpful for your future career, everyone, especially new graduates, is trying to snag positions after two years of fewer opportunities. So, do not sweat it if you are an underclassman without an internship. There are other things a student can do during the summer that does not involve an internship.

Of course, there are other ways one can help themselves on their career path. I’m sorry I sound like your professor by saying this, but one valuable resource we have as Texas State students is LinkedIn learning. There are more than 5,000 courses this service offers, which are free to us thanks to our university. Look into the courses aligning with your career goals and spend time learning outside of school. It may sound unappealing, especially during a break, but your future self might need this extra bit of knowledge.

Along with continuing to learn, it is also good to prepare. Without the busyness of courses and social activities constantly happening on campus or with your organizations, summer is the perfect time to update your resume! You might have mentally groaned after reading that sentence. I get it, it’s tedious and boring work. Welcome to adulting. But again, do it for your future self. For my fellow mass communication majors, I would also advise beginning or updating your portfolio website. It will make it so much easier when you need to apply for a job during the school year and all you must do is write a cover letter. Less time taken away from schoolwork!

Investing in your career goals during the break is so helpful, and so is investing in your wellness. Yes, here’s another sentence that will make you roll your eyes and groan: spend your extra free time getting active! We all do it during the school year; we say we are too busy–too swamped with schoolwork and responsibilities–to even think about doing something to move our bodies and eat healthier. I get it. But summer can be the time to stop making excuses and do something good for your body, which will be good for the rest of you.

I can sit here and list all the benefits of exercise and healthy eating, but really all you need to do is just get started. Use the term “hot girl summer” as motivation or the idea of becoming “that girl” (or “that guy”—I’m sure they exist too). Whatever it is that helps you, just get started after finals and take advantage of the break to really take care of yourself.

Of course, summer is fun! So, while advancing yourself for your future or in your wellness, I hope you also take some time to maybe enjoy a hobby or two, sunbathe, and go somewhere you have been wanting to visit! I wish all of you a wonderful summer great, whatever that looks like for you! (HAGS)

Featured Image by Mikayla Anding