Kids and summer jobs/internships/$$$

weenie · 02-27-2006, 11:25 AM

So my son is stressing about a summer job (good!), but he doesn't know where to start (bad!).

In general, do college career centers offer any help to freshmen for summer jobs? Since he hasn't even declared a major, is the thought of some kind of internship out of the question?

Also, do kids have any luck applying for a job in March, to start in May?

Thanks for any thoughts.

texas137 · 02-27-2006, 11:36 AM

The college career center is certainly a good place to start. If nothing else, they will have general advice like how to write a resume.

It certainly is not too late for a job-job, just to make some money. Local business near where you live or near your son's school if he wants to spend the summer there may hire college students.

If you had in mind both money and a valuable experience, like a formal paid internship in his field of interest, then it might be too late. My son started the process for his summer internship back in September and all of the on-campus recruiting seemed to happen in the fall. Still, it would be worth asking around. You should also start reading his campus newspaper, if you don't already, for announcements of company visits or career activities you son might not see.

If your son doesn't need to make money, there should certainly be organizations that would love to have an energetic college student around who is willing to work as a volunteer in exchange for experience. Lots of college students get research experience in professor's labs over the summer for little or no money. Non-profits always need help and can be a good source of experience.

cnp55 · 02-27-2006, 01:08 PM

The smart kids apply in March -- or at least make their first contacts.

I'm an employer -- I own a retail pet store. I will hire for the summer. I do give preference to kids already trained. I recently inquired at my bank about summer openings for college kids (specifically for my S -- whose talents do not include retail and animal care!) and they said the same thing. Make the contacts in March.

I would suggest going in to any prospective employer with a *resume*. It's impressive. Be prepared to start ASAP in May, or when the employer wants. Don't expect the choicest hours -- or to be able to take a 2 week vacation in July. Plan on staying as long as possible in August; some employers offer a bonus to kids who stay through August 20 or Labor Day.

texas137 · 02-27-2006, 02:06 PM

there's an article in the current student paper about an upcoming Career Week for freshmen and sophomores at MIT. Might give you some idea of services that might be available at your son's career office.
http://www-tech.mit.edu/V126/N6/06careers.html

Northstarmom · 02-27-2006, 04:26 PM

One thing to keep in mind is that if a student plans to have a fulltime job after college graduation, having summer jobs -- particularly internships -- is virtually a necessity for any field.

The world of work no longer is like what it was when many of us were young when employers would happily hire recent college grads with no work experience. Now internships -- paid and unpaid -- bare used as trying out potential permament employees.

Even if a student plans to go to grad school, for many fields it is a boost to have had work experience in or outside of the prospectdive graduate field.

TheDad · 02-27-2006, 05:10 PM

D's summer internship applications started filtering out last week and two more are being launched today. She's trying to get all 11-12 out before mid-terms start...next Monday.

weenie · 02-27-2006, 05:26 PM

Thanks for the helpful comments.

Now I have something new to worry about.

texas137 · 02-27-2006, 05:29 PM

here's an internship timeline that might be helpful:
http://web.mit.edu/career/www/jobs/I...ipTimeline.pdf

and general info about internships:
http://web.mit.edu/career/www/guide/internship03.pdf
http://web.mit.edu/career/www/jobs/internships.html

this is from the MIT career office for its own students, but should be applicable to anyone

Ctheflute · 02-27-2006, 10:57 PM

For future reference, keep in mind that some companies (especially the more prestigous ones that may interview all over the country) have internship applications due as early as the first week in February! It is a real bummer to miss out just on the opportunity to apply to a dream job. (For instance, both Guidant and Medtronic came to my university to inteview, and in both cases, apps were due 2 weeks before the interview dates which were last week)

A resume and a basic cover letter is something that is great to have ahead of time. For the really important apps, having a cover letter tailored to the job description and made just for that company is important (just like college apps :-) ).

chocoholic · 02-27-2006, 11:38 PM

I agree that internships, even if unpaid, are the cornerstone of resume-building for undergraduate college students, and vital to the job search that will begin in your Senior year. That said, it is not easy for freshmen to secure meaningful internships. I have heard of kids sending out 50 to 60 apps out, and feeling lucky to secure one internship. Makes the college application process look like an intramural sport. (no offense, my kids play im)
Be prepared to volunteer at your local government level, doctor's office, etc. Be creative in where you apply. There does not have to be a listed opening at that particular business.

athena_wiles · 02-27-2006, 11:39 PM

weenie - I don't know what fields your S is interested in, but if it's something more science-y (ie. math, chem, bio, psych), the profs at his current school are a good place to start. My internship the summer after freshman year came directly out of asking one of the profs I'd gotten to know if he knew anybody at the university closest to my house who might be willing to take a student on for the summer... sure enough he did, and I ended up with a summer research internship! Liked it well enough that I'm considering going back this summer :-)

If he's not into academic-type internships, this won't help as much, but I just thought I'd put it out there. Good luck to him!

Edit: I should add that this isn't restricted to the hard sciences. I remember talking to a good friend of mine a few days ago about the fact that simply jokingly asking a prof if they knew anyone doing public health work overseas got her an internship with someone in the WHO... in Greece! Man, I wish I had her luck...

TheDad · 02-28-2006, 12:56 AM

Choc, I'm going to be interested to see how my D's search plays out. On one hand he's only a sophomore, otoh she has the great seal of one of her college's particular internship programs, limited to a max. of 12 students, on her apps. She's planning on a second internship next year, direction based upon this year's experience. Entirely possible she could double up if she's happy as a clam. Or, she could seek a new experience.

karthikkito · 02-28-2006, 04:38 AM

One thing alot of my friends are doing is taking research courses at school in areas they would like to work in (at UCSD they're termed "199's" - you sign up for one and get a list of projects to choose from).

When they write cover letters and go for interviews, they have something to talk about. Instead of saying that they'd make a good candidate because they can work hard and have always loved the subject, they have tangible proof of their abilities...maybe even a publication. They also have a professor or PI, likely well known in the field, vouching for their abilities.

Seems to work.