<p>I’m studying at Cal as an out-of-state student, but I come from a background where family is very important (Hispanic/South American, closely-knit family culture). Apart from the end of semester break, I got to go back home last semester for Thanksgiving. This semester, though, I found out that I’m gonna be staying here for spring break and won’t be able to go back home until the summer.
Anyway, I know it’s time to start thinking about summer internships, classes, jobs, etc. to start padding up my resume. The thing is, though, that I want to spend the summer with my family, as well. But (as far as I’m aware), most of the Berkeley stuff is here in CA or even out of the country. I guess I’ve been recently been reading the mail and emails from Berkeley about the summer internships they have. </p>
<p>Anyone else have any of these problems, either the family vs. job or out-of-state thing?</p>
<p>If you spend summers with your family instead of an internship you are more likely to have to move back with them after you graduate and are unemployed.</p>
<p>I have the exact same problem. I’ve been going back to India every summer since 6th grade, and really missed out on some of the awesome ECs others in my high school had (interning, summer jobs, volunteer, getting ahead with courses, etc…). I honestly think that killed my chances in, well, all my college choices </p>
<p>I’m facing the same problem now, but unlike before, we have practically 4 months of break - meaning I plan to do something productive for 2-3 months, and spend a few weeks in India as opposed to 2 months.</p>
<p>You could definitely do the same, seeing as your family is in America haha</p>
<p>@tomofboston: someone could easily interpret what you said as ‘you’ll be unemployed and therefore spend more time with your family :)’</p>
<p>Anyway, if you are a freshman and go to a career fair, most company reps will politely ask you to come back after 2 years because they mean it. No summer is wasted if you spend it in a meaningful way, which includes spending time with your family.</p>
<p>hi lemoncat, where are you from? there are internship opportunities everywhere. just search up any company or university you want to work for and apply or email them. it doesn’t have to be in berkeley. and it honestly doesn’t have to be fancy and a big name place. anything is fine…as long as you get experience and someone can vouch for you in a LOR. good luck!</p>
<p>Why don’t you just go and try to find an internship first. It’s very hard for freshman to get a legitimate internship, at least it was for me. So, how about if you can find a legit one then go and do it. But if you can’t then just go back home and do w/e?</p>
<p>You’re a freshman. Go home for the summer and relax with family. There’s no rush! And anyways, you can always find things to do in your hometown.</p>
<p>I can understand your frustrations. As others suggested, look locally! I really needed to take a class last summer but didn’t wanna stay in Berkeley and miss my family, so I arranged to take it at my hometown U and transfer the credit. And I’ll reiterate what someone said about the struggle of getting a <em>meaningful</em> internship right out of fr. year. Might as well work towards your degree, volunteer, or get some $ on the side. Things will pick up next year if you try (for example, I got a research position last fall and am going to stay and work here @ cal throughout the summer).</p>
<p>recently, i’ve just been thinking that i should be doing things that i won’t be able to do once i’m out of college. you have you’re whole life for other things but there are some things that you can only do here. internship is a little different in your case but kind of the same…so you can decide. do what YOU want. don’t let others decide for you.</p>
<p>IMO you don’t necessarily need to do an internship during the summers after freshman and sophomore year. As others have said, go back home and do something fun BUT worthwhile. Volunteer with a well-established organization. Get a seasonal job somewhere you’ve always wanted to work for fun, like a movie theater. Or Build-A-Bear lol.</p>
<p>Lemoncat, go home and spend summer with your family. You can worry about things like internship/job/research next year or so .And who knows… you might be able to find something in your home town. BTW I always thought that Lemoncat was an Asian girl.</p>
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