As a student you typically have four months of “summer,” which tends to be spent working and saving for the next school year. But how can you maximize your summer job?
To start, let’s think about your future for a bit. Approaching and after graduation you probably want a career in your field of study. When you look at job postings they normally want experience, and most recent graduates think “how am I suppose to get experience?” The answer is your summer employment.
Typically the goal of summer employment is to make the most amount of money possible. This is an excellent goal, and money is important, but what if your goal was to make money and gain experience and skills in your field of study?
By prioritizing experience and skills you will have a leg up on the competition upon graduation.
When you apply to summer jobs think about options that will help you build your resume. Are there summer postings in your field, or similar fields? Can’t find anything? Try cold calling a company, in your field, to see if they are hiring for summer employment. Look into subsidies for summer students. Yes that is correct, some employment agencies will help subsidize an employers cost to hire you, thus giving them the incentive to take you on.
These four months will now not only help you save for school, but also give you experience and skills for your future career.
You couldn’t find a summer job in your field? That’s okay, try volunteering. If you are looking for experience in your field, volunteer somewhere that is in your field of study. Even if it’s only for a couple of hours a week, it will help you build your resume and have a reference for when you apply for jobs after graduation. This is also a great way to get your foot in the door if you are interested in working where you volunteered.
Remember summer is a time to have fun and build your resume.
