3 answers
Anna
Student
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania
1
Question
Updated
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What type of part-time job should I get in the summer that would prepare me for an internship later in my junior and senior year?
I am a high school senior planning to major in electrical engineering and also in computer science. I want to get a job to help with tuition and to gain skills that jobs would find beneficial for someone like me?
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3 answers
Nicole Baillie
Data Analyst
493
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Nicole’s Answer
Hi Anna. What a great question! And good on you for thinking ahead.
In general, it may be helpful to you to take on jobs that allow you to problem solve. Sometimes, when reviewers see the term "problem solve", they think math :) but that is not my intention here. For sure there are countless ways and places where problem-solving skills can be used and can grow when working in either the full-time or part-time space. Think anywhere between working in a summer camp, trying to figure out the best program(s) for exposing kids to the wonders of outdoors... to how to address a calculation error in a spreadsheet for a small business owner.
Given your stated goals in wanting to major in engineering (which, as an engineer myself, I think is awesome!!!), for sure there is no shortage of ways and places that you can use critical skills to problem solve. Sometimes that could mean creating a visual so that members of a team can see how a process works or creating a plan so that team members, who have different roles, can see how a delay in their time line affects the outcome of a project or...writing a new piece of code to speed up a part of a process that may be outdated.
I encourage you to be bold in your thinking of what it means to "problem-solve". You have more options than you think! ;)
Wishing you the best of luck on your journey.
In general, it may be helpful to you to take on jobs that allow you to problem solve. Sometimes, when reviewers see the term "problem solve", they think math :) but that is not my intention here. For sure there are countless ways and places where problem-solving skills can be used and can grow when working in either the full-time or part-time space. Think anywhere between working in a summer camp, trying to figure out the best program(s) for exposing kids to the wonders of outdoors... to how to address a calculation error in a spreadsheet for a small business owner.
Given your stated goals in wanting to major in engineering (which, as an engineer myself, I think is awesome!!!), for sure there is no shortage of ways and places that you can use critical skills to problem solve. Sometimes that could mean creating a visual so that members of a team can see how a process works or creating a plan so that team members, who have different roles, can see how a delay in their time line affects the outcome of a project or...writing a new piece of code to speed up a part of a process that may be outdated.
I encourage you to be bold in your thinking of what it means to "problem-solve". You have more options than you think! ;)
Wishing you the best of luck on your journey.
Thank you so much for the advice.
Anna
Aaron DECHAZAL
Engineering Manager, Automotive Supply Base
3
Answers
Rochester Hills, Michigan
Updated
Aaron’s Answer
Hi Anna,
As a former development engineer, now engineering manager my take may be a bit different... Don't worry too much about finding a job to "prepare" you for college or your career yet. If you love computers or electrical engineering, by all means see what you can find in that area, but for this coming summer I recommend focusing on just getting a job that will help you with the tuition. Having "a" job is more important than having the "right" job at this stage. Next year, after you are immersed in your field of study, you can focus on finding an internship with a company that has positions in your field. As the hiring manager for some of our interns, my focus doesn't turn to summer jobs until the end of sophomore year at earliest.
Cheers!
As a former development engineer, now engineering manager my take may be a bit different... Don't worry too much about finding a job to "prepare" you for college or your career yet. If you love computers or electrical engineering, by all means see what you can find in that area, but for this coming summer I recommend focusing on just getting a job that will help you with the tuition. Having "a" job is more important than having the "right" job at this stage. Next year, after you are immersed in your field of study, you can focus on finding an internship with a company that has positions in your field. As the hiring manager for some of our interns, my focus doesn't turn to summer jobs until the end of sophomore year at earliest.
Cheers!
Thank you so much, Aaron!
Anna
Ligia McLean
Manage International Sales
3
Answers
Gilbert, Arizona
Updated
Ligia’s Answer
Anna, it's great to see how motivated and determined you are to succeed! Anything you try will definitely add value to your resume. Since you're looking for tuition funding, as Aaron suggested, find a job that pays well and isn't too stressful. You might consider tutoring in subjects you’re good at over the summer. Many parents want their kids to stay sharp during the break, so you could offer private lessons or small group classes at a community center. It's surprising how many options are available locally.
It's fantastic that you're getting into engineering. We need more talented young women like you in the field. By your Junior year, you'll be ready to intern anywhere you want.
Have a wonderful summer!
It's fantastic that you're getting into engineering. We need more talented young women like you in the field. By your Junior year, you'll be ready to intern anywhere you want.
Have a wonderful summer!
Thank you so much!
Anna