Many college graduates who are entering the job market for the first time face a common dilemma. In order to get a good job in this tough market you need experience. But how do you get experience if you’ve never had a job?
Summer jobs offer the best opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge you need to boost your resume and stand out as a job candidate. And best of all, you won’t have to flip burgers or peddle coffee.
Internship / Volunteer
The most obvious place to start your job search is in your field of interest. If you want to pursue a law degree, for instance, you should look for a job in a law firm or at another legal organization. If you want to pursue a career in politics, you should try to find a job in government.
Sometimes the best way to get your foot in the door is through internships. Even if you don’t have the luxury of working in an unpaid internship, you should consider a paid one. Usually the pay is minimal, but the exposure you gain and the contacts you make may prove invaluable when you’re looking for a real job. There are countless examples of people in companies who started as interns and are now full-time employees.
And if pay is not a priority, there are numerous volunteering opportunities to explore in your chosen field.
Social Media Coordinator
These days, just about every company is looking for someone to manage their online and social media presence. And since students spend so much time navigating current social media platforms, they’re often a natural fit for these jobs.
Working as a social media coordinator is fun and flexible. And it also allows you to improve your IT and marketing skills while making some decent money.
Entrepreneur
This may not be as far-fetched as it sounds. Maybe you have a special skill or talent that you never considered capitalizing on. Can you make some money selling handmade jewelry on Etsy or vintage Star Trek collectibles on Ebay? Do you have the skills to lead a fitness class or be a personal trainer?
Working for yourself can be as simple as advertising your services on a local site or as complicated as developing a website that sells specialty clothing.
The risks and challenges are great, but so are the rewards.
Adventure Guide
Want to catch an employer’s eye? How about spending the summer jumping out of airplanes or leading rafting groups down the Colorado River. Whether you’re into rock climbing, scuba diving, kayaking, backpacking or bungee jumping, why not parlay that into a summer job? There are many adventure companies here and abroad that are looking for young people to hire. Not only are these jobs fun, they also demonstrate your skills in leadership, grit and dependability.
Campus Work
Finally, there are myriad opportunities to gain valuable work experience without ever having to leave school this summer. Examples of campus jobs that offer the chance to learn employable skills include campus tour guide, academic department assistant, career center employee, campus tech support, paid research assistant or on-campus administrator. You can check with the student employment office or inquire with the department directly for current openings.
