Don’t have an internship this summer? That’s okay there are a ton of different ways you can get career development experience related to business and entrepreneurship.
Start Your Own Small Business Or Side Hustle
I know what you’re thinking. “Start my own business!? How can I do that while I am still in college!” Well it may be easier than you think. In fact, 62% of small businesses don’t have any staff. Having something you can work on building during your summer is not only a great way to pass the time but it is a good way to get real life business experience. There isn’t a better way to get experience as a business entrepreneur than to create your own business.
Not sure where to start? Here are some ideas:
- Start your own online store. If you have a product you have created, use websites like Shopify or Etsy to sell your merchandise. If you have a great wholesale source to buy goods from, resell them on websites like Ebay and Amazon.
- Do you have a ton of clothes you want to get rid of? Poshmark, Depop, and Facebook Marketplace are great platforms to get money for your used clothing.
- Maybe you have specialized skills that are in demand. You can become a freelancer and post services you offer on websites like Upwork and Fiverr.
These are only some examples of the many ways you can start a small business while also finishing up your degree.
Volunteering/ Community Service
Whether you are volunteering to help a for-profit organization or doing community service for a nonprofit. Volunteering is an extremely productive and flexible way to spend your time this summer and gain meaningful experience. The benefits of volunteering for an organization is it gives you more flexibility than working. Often volunteering experiences do not require you to work daily, allowing you enhanced flexibility when you want to work. Volunteering to help organizations that are doing the type of work you want to pursue is a great way to develop new skills. Allowing you to be better qualified when you apply for an internship or career. Check out the CCE website to view the service listings database. Explore the different volunteering and community service opportunities available to make an impact in the community.
Take A Summer Course
Taking a summer class to get ahead is another effective use of your time. Binghamton University’s summer sessions offer a ton of online courses that you can take to get some of your general education and major requirements out of the way. This will allow you to free up some more of your time during the semester to focus on other courses and opportunities.
It Is Never Too Late To Get An Internship
There are a ton of ways you can get great experiences this summer without an internship. That being said, it is still not too late to get an internship this summer. Employers are constantly looking to recruit student talent and are actively posting internships available for the summer. I highly recommend you check out Handshake to view the different jobs and internships available.
