Angelinpink61

It's the summer between my freshman and sophomore year of college and I have done almost nothing. Every summer I have either worked or volunteered, but this summer my mom and I moved to a new state and I had to spend most of my time helping her unpack and settle into the new place. When I was finished helping her, I couldn't seem to find a job because most jobs were already set up in advance.

Currently my major is undecided but I'm leaning toward Education. Usually over the summer, I would work as a day camp counselor, lifeguard, and swim instructor, but I couldn't seem to nail down a job fast enough because my mom needed me to focus all my energy on the move, which I was happy to help with.

For the past few weeks, I have just been sleeping, hanging out by the pool, and seeing family and friends. There's only about a month left until I go back to school and I don't know if anyone will hire someone for only a month. I'm worried that I'll do damage to my resume if I don't fill my summer with amazing internships and jobs. Will this seriously affect me?

chrisw

Doing nothing over the summer is never a good thing, but it isn't particularly damaging if you're a rising sophomore, especially if you are looking to get into the education field. It might be harder to get a job next year, but as long as you're dedicated, you should probably be okay.

turtlerock

I know they're more dead in Summers (and sometime scale back hours appropriately), but would it be feasible for you to volunteer at the local library. During the school year I've volunteered at my local library helping grade-school kids on the homework as they piled in after school (education orientated), but in the Summer there's still some younger kids that drop in as parents drop them off just to get them out of the house for Summer and there's always a need for "Story readers" or such programs in place for that younger audience. Most libraries are more than happy to get any help, even if it is for jusy a few weeks.

Otherwise, it's your first college Summer, so IMO it's not terrible if you've done "nothing" but see family and enjoy life. Better to do it now because next Summer and thereafter you might not be able to do that kind of thing (hence filled with job/internship). Also, I wouldn't say you've done nothing. If it's ever brought up (like for next Summer's internships) you could mention that you were moving to a new place and were excited to get to know your new surroundings so you went around your new town a lot to meet some new people/faces and to scope out any personal opportunities.

notaznguy

Yes, it's pretty common for most people to have done nothing over this past summer, and given your circumstances, it's understandable.

However, you better start applying to summer internships in the upcoming year. Start looking during the Fall semester/quarter. If you have nothing next summer...then it starts getting bad.

ilovedcollege

You still have time....go volunteer somewhere. So many organizations need help. Your local food bank needs help sorting cans! Be a cheerleader at a Special Olympics event!
And I can guarantee there is trash on the side of the roads near where you live. Grab a black trash bag and a pair of gloves and then go for a walk and clean up your neighborhood!

Doing something for others is amazingly satisfying. There will still be time for the pool!

Moreover

If you are going to have a "free summer" the one after freshman year is definitely the best one to choose. In many parts of the country, K-12 schools start much earlier than college and teachers are there a couple of weeks before classes getting ready. Why not be proactive and go over and volunteer to help them? You could ask them questions about teaching as you work and you might gain a mentor or network your way into some opportunities for Christmas or next summer. Also if you didn't like the first one, just help a different teacher the next day or go to a different school. I would also suggest start working on learning basic cooking skills so whenever you have to start cooking for yourself you will be ready. The library also will have many books in the self-improvement area on subjects like skills every adult should know, how to be more organize etc. which could be fun to work on before you go back to colllege. Good luck!