Summer Internships

Dear Deb:

I am a sophomore in college.  There is such competition for summer internships and office jobs. Those jobs generally go to upper classmen.   It looks like my summer job options are limited to a local summer day camp counselor position or a painter’s helper position.  My college counselor told me it is better for me to attend classes than work in those jobs.  My dad, of course, wants me to work to contribute to my school year expenses.   What do you think?  Do these jobs put me in a worse position when I want to interview for juicier business intern programs  the summer before my senior year?  That’s a critical summer to get a good internship.

Thank you,

Richard

Dear Richard:

We would need to talk more about your field of study and career goals.  We can set up a consultation call to create a short-term and long-term strategy for internships, part-time work to help fund your college costs, and ultimately your post-graduation career.

In the meantime, I can give you a general answer that will help many other readers in the same situation. If you are a college sophomore and have a chance to work for a reputable company doing an honest day’s work to pay for your college expenses, take that opportunity.   This will not preclude you from gaining a strong internship the next year.  In almost any job that you take, you can volunteer to work beyond your job expectations.  You can offer to assist with administrative tasks, supporting special projects, or pitching in when other managerial staff members need help.  Offer to work overtime on an unpaid basis as an internship within the camp counseling position.  Make recommendations to help with marketing. Perhaps you can volunteer to perform social media marketing tasks.  In other words, make the most of this summer job so you have strong selling points to use when you interview in the future.

Another thing to remember is that it is honorable to work to pay for your education. Unless you are doing something illegal or unethical, you can put this on your resume with pride.

Wishing you all the best!

Deb