Do you want to find summer employment? Here are some general guidelines from that you can consider:
- Consider what needs you have:
- Make sure the pay is enough to cover your living expenses like travel, food
- Housing can be arranged alternatively with Carleton alumni, friends, family
- Unpaid internships might seem less appealing but you can also potentially apply for Career Center funding.
- What class year are you?
- First: summer internships/work experience are helpful but not necessary. Consider an OCS program and study abroad!
- Second: summer internships are recommended by this point. However, you still have time to do an OCS
- Third: highly recommended to get a summer internship, especially if it’s one that can convert to a full-time offer. Getting an internship by now is very helpful for job search later on. If you don’t find one, don’t fret. Consider alternative options within your field like online unpaid research internships for professors, working at less prestigious options, locations outside your first choice.
- Fourth: you’ve graduated by now, so go out and enjoy! Internships now are less relevant since most people have found graduate schools or jobs
- Research also counts as employment in your resume, so don’t discount researching for a professor or at a lab
- Network! Reach out to Carleton alumni, random Linkedin people who you genuinely have a similar interest with, professors, even classmates can help tell you about opportunities. Several friends of mine have discovered internships or scholarship opportunities through word-of-mouth among friends
- Finally, always consider alternative options: there are many fellowships and scholarships that give funding to work in your field, study abroad, teach, volunteer, etc. Don’t be too stuck on one option that you forgo the field for the beauty of one flower