So summer is here and you don't have an internship or research program ready to go for the summer. Bummer. But there are other ways to be productive and add to your resumé over the summer. Yes, ideally, you'd get some work experience (and hopefully some cash, too), but that didn't work out. Make sure that there's definitely something in the cards next summer. For now, here are five things you can do to make the most out of your summer.
1. Learn to Code
Coding is probably the best way to get a job. It makes me question why I didn't major in computer science. As you can tell, I'm not that smart. But you can always learn HTML or Java and add that to your resume. It's a skill that can take you a lot further than you might think.
2. Take a Class Through Your University
Does your school offer summer or online courses? Maybe you could try to get ahead and catch up on core requirements or major requirements. That way you can take more of your favorite classes that are actually offered during the school year.
3. Take a Class Online
EdX is an amazing tool that gives anyone the chance to take a course from schools in Beijing to Harvard. They offer everything from Intro to Computer Science to how to use Excel. (Excel is also an amazing thing to add to your list of skills on your resume. Not enough people know how to use it.)
4. Increase your Social Media Presence
Since jobs nowadays are extremely likely to check how many followers you have on Instagram, Twitter, or Youtube, maybe you could start increasing your presence on those sites. You never know, you might even gain so many that brands will come straight to you and offer you deals and sponsorships. Don't get me wrong, this is a very hard job to do, but trying never hurts.
5. Write
Writing is a skill often overlooked. A lot of jobs look at your writing skills as an indication of whether or not you are eligible to work for them. Maybe start a blog to publish your poetry or short stories. Submit to websites like Hello Giggles. Or maybe even join a site where you can write about anything you want weekly, like Odyssey! This is especially helpful for those of you who want jobs where writing is especially important. You can use your best articles/pieces in your portfolio, too.
