Didn’t Land A Summer Internship? Try These Alternatives Instead

As seen on Forbes.

Now that summer’s just around the corner, college students and recent grads are vying for internships in droves and the playing field is getting more and more competitive. 3 in every 5 students surveyed in the National Survey of College Internships in 2021 say that they want to pursue an internship to gain experience in their chosen field.

However, if you’re reading this and haven’t secured an internship yet or want a different kind of experience, remember that doing an internship is not the only way to be productive! Here are 3 alternatives you can do to gain invaluable experience and develop skills this summer:

1. Volunteer In Your Community 

Some people may think that developing skills only happens either within the four corners of a classroom or in a corporate office setup, but that’s not true. You can also learn a lot of things by being more involved in community work through volunteering. And there are different ways you can chip in depending on your interests.

If you’re good with people, you can do tutoring and mentoring for kids in your neighborhood through literacy programs, college preparation, or career guidance. You can also spend time volunteering at senior centers or nursing homes to continue developing your people skills by providing companionship and conversation.

You can also help out in church or community events and festivals or in community meal programs to continue developing your organization skills as you coordinate with different teams and assist in food collection and distribution.

If you’re into academia, you can work with your favorite professor and be a part-time assistant. You can offer to assist with their research, writing, teaching, or other professional activities which may include literature review, drafting manuscripts, or preparing teaching material for the next semester.

2. Work For Yourself

The rate of self-employment has consistently grown in the past years, with 16 million people in the U.S. workforce reporting to be self-employed in 2024. So the summer could be a good time to set the foundation to work for yourself.

You can start by establishing your personal brand by updating your LinkedIn profile, including your headline. If you need fresh ideas for a headline, you can ask ChatGPT for suggestions. Once you have confirmed your niche or especially, use the prompt “Give me 5 options for my LinkedIn headline for an entrepreneur helping clients in [NICHE] using this formula: Title | Keywords & Skills | Tagline.” And that should be a great start for people knowing what you have to offer!

Moreover, building your portfolio is also a good step forward. You can get started by creating a website or blog of your previous works so it’s easier for you to showcase your capabilities to new clients. Building your experience as a solopreneur will not only help you build skills this summer but also give you a step up when you apply for full-time roles after graduation.

3. Apply For Part-Time Work Or Consulting Roles

Another alternative to an internship is working student roles or part-time consultancy roles for local startups. Part-time jobs can be found in different industries and sectors, and compensation could be an hourly wage or output-based. On the other side, consulting jobs would involve providing expert advice, services, and solutions to clients and can offer higher compensation that reflects one’s specialized nature of work and level of expertise.

Ultimately, the best choice on what you want to do during your summer depends on your preferences, career goals, and circumstances, but keep in mind that it’s also an option to just enjoy your summer and take a break.
Internships won’t be the only reason why you’ll have a thriving career, and taking time for your hobbies or bonding with your family and friends is okay too. 53% of workers feel work-life balance is needed for their overall well-being, so although it’s commendable to want to build your career early on, having a good work-life balance is also important. Have a great summer, my friend!