Emily
What are some tips for finding a summer job?
What should college students do and not do if they're looking for something to support themselves over the summer? #college #graduates
3 answers
Nicole Baillie
Nicole’s Answer
Timing has a lot to do with finding great summer job opportunities. In my view, starting your search early and doing a little research on the companies that are looking for summer workers can be good things to do when looking for a summer job. My experience has been that if you begin to do your research on opportunities in your fall semester, then you could possibly use your winter break or early winter months to reach out to perspective summer job employers. Staying connected with them over the winter months and into Spring may enable you to get a window into what these employers will need from their summer job hires.
Hope you find this answer helpful and best of luck to you!
Ken Simmons
Ken’s Answer
Hi Emily!
You asked a good question.
It is very good to take advantage of natural connections when looking for a job:
- talk to your academic adviser about jobs that might be available. Many times this person might know of major related and/or campus jobs that might help with money and your career.
- talk to the head of alumni relations to locate graduates from you school in your major area with whom you could talk to see if they might have any leads.
- talk to your academic adviser and the reference librarian at your local library to locate professional organizations to which people in your career area of interest belong, so you can mix and mingle and see if they might know of any opportunities
- also, talk the above individuals about coop, intern, shadowing, and volunteer programs that might help with money and your career.
Word of mouth and networking is very important. Here are some tips on networking that may help:
http://www.wikihow.com/Network
https://www.themuse.com/advice/nonawkward-ways-to-start-and-end-networking-conversations
80% of people who find jobs find them through methods outlined above. More people find jobs through the head of alumni relations than through career services. Networking is very powerful - especially when it is interpersonal face to face when possible.
Let me know is and how this helps. Keep me posted. I would like to follow your progress.
Nomonde Magau
Nomonde’s Answer
Summer Jobs are a great start to the world of work and can be included in your resume as part of your experience when applying for a job . I cannot stress enough the importance of having a summer job . I honestly would advice that you should be very open to the idea of having a summer job and be open minded to exploring different industries, this will enable you to develop vast knowledge on different industries and different roles.
My first summer job was being a promoter for different brands i.e Nivea , Eucerin Adcock Ingram etc. . The role allowed me to explore different industries from beauty care to pharmaceutical industry. Summer jobs give you a sense of responsibility and I can safely say they build you work ethic . Most importantly they teach you a lot about financial freedom ( I can say it starts there, your first salary). remember your summer job doesn't necessarily need to be aligned with what you are studying.
Be very open to learning in your summer job and please work smart .
Now go get your first Summer Job!