Make Your Summer Experience Count!

Summer’s finally here! Time to break out the beach towels, sports equipment or maybe even just the hammock for some much-needed rest from the school routine.

However, if you’re hoping to attend college in the next few years, you may want to consider picking up a job or internship instead.

4 Reasons Why a Summer Internship or Job Will Benefit You

We realize you want to use your summer to refresh and prepare for the next school year, but if you’re serious about getting into college, what you do with your summer can affect whether or not you’re accepted. Having a job or internship greatly increases your chances of being accepted. It also helps you get a head start on your future career.

Here’s how a summer job or internship can help you get into college and prepare for your future:

1. It shows potential colleges you’re serious about advancing yourself and others around you. Paula Orenstein, the Associate Director of Admissions at Elizabethtown College, says, “The internship is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate to a prospective college the student's motivation and potential for civic engagement.” Your application will stand out to college admissions more than those of students who haven’t done any jobs or internships before, which means you’re more likely to get accepted.
2. You’ll have a better idea of what you want to do after college. Students who put in the time to work during the summer are generally the dedicated kind who’re looking at the long-term benefits. So the more you look around now and try different jobs and internships (seriously, apply for a bunch of different options), the more likely you are to have a better grasp of what you’d like to do with your career.
3. You’ll learn valuable new skills. In addition to job-hunting skills, such as resume writing, networking, and interviewing, you’ll also learn how to handle your work-life balance. Monson High School’s Director of Guidance, Robert Bardwell, says “With college costs so incredibly high in many schools, these days most students are scrambling to find part-time work. Those who have worked while also in high school are sure to have an advantage because part-time jobs teach students time and money management as well as help them develop a strong work ethic and interpersonal skills."
4. You’ll have a better chance of getting a part-time job during college. Future employers will notice your high school job and internship endeavors before they even pay attention to students who don’t have similar experiences. The more you can offer them without them having to train you, the more likely they are to hire you during college because you already have what they need.

Losing some of your free time during the summer is just a small price to pay for the long-term benefits you’ll get! There are lots of ways to get jobs and internships during the summer, but the most important step is to simply go ahead and apply. When you do that, you’ll immediately be on a better track to college acceptance and career success.