Ways your student can gain professional experience this summer
It’s not too late for your student to take advantage of opportunities to gain professional experience this summer. Even if they don’t have an internship lined up, they can still use their time to expand their skills and enhance their resume.
They can look for opportunities to learn new things, build their network and participate in organized events or activities. They can also work on tasks to help with their future job or internship searches, like updating online profiles, creating a portfolio or writing their resume.
Gain valuable skills
Summer jobs and volunteer opportunities give students a chance to gain valuable skills. Students can learn the top skills employers seek through almost any job or volunteer opportunity.
A position as a lifeguard helps develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Or working in a restaurant and keeping customers happy while balancing the needs of kitchen staff requires communication skills. Volunteering at a summer camp requires integrity, responsibility and teamwork.
The Volunteer Resource Center connects students to service opportunities on campus and in local communities. Your student can explore ways to give back and build new skills this summer.
Take courses
Your student can take advantage of courses offered during the summer sessions at CU Boulder. Summer sessions allow students to focus on one class, enroll in popular courses and improve their academic standing.
They can also use resources like LinkedIn Learning to earn certifications and learn new skills. Classes on technical skills like SEO or coding may not be requirements for their major, but these skills can enhance resumes and make students more marketable in their job search.
Learn more about career options
Summer is an excellent time to learn about different industries and career paths. Your student can do a job simulation to understand their career goals better. Informational interviews also offer a way to learn more about specific jobs. Your student can schedule time with people who inspire them or have an interesting career. During the informational interview, they can ask about the necessary skills to pursue that career and suggest classes or experiences that could help position them for success. Forever Buffs Network and the CU Boulder LinkedIn page are the perfect places to find people to interview.
Try gig work
Your student can seek out short-term opportunities over the summer. They can become an independent contractor or pursue freelance or gig work. No matter their study area, gig work lets students gain valuable experience while earning extra cash.
Your student can look for opportunities within their network. For example, they could photograph a friend’s wedding, write articles on topics that interest them or offer their services through a platform like Upwork or Fiverr.
Encourage your student to make the most of their time this summer
It’s not too late to gain skills and experience over the summer. Even if your student doesn't have an internship or job lined up, they can find creative solutions!
Career Services helps students position themselves for success through workshops, events, training and other resources. Students can also meet with a peer career advisor during scheduled office hours or schedule an appointment with a career advisor.