The summer before Junior year of college. Depending on your field of major, this is the summer you feel an internship is crucial or you are figuring out how to land one for the year/following summer. This is also possibly one of the last summers you have before the “real world” begins. I’m not trying to make you anxious -- that is not my intent at all! But all things in consideration, it’s important to remember to take time this summer to hangout with your friends and make the most of it! Go to the beach with your friends and family. Take a drive to a cute town nearby. Have many movie nights filled with popcorn and candy, or go to a drive-in and bring some cozy blankets. Make bonfires with more s’mores than your body can intake. Enjoy the countless summer barbecues with fresh-off-the-grill burgers, hot dogs and corn on the cob!

If you’re anything like me and are thinking to yourself, okay, that sounds nice, but I'm still anxious to get started on working towards how to get experience for the future, keep reading for some tips on how to make your summer a little more productive without having it take over your entire break.

The very first step is checking out your school’s career services. They are a great resource in the process and could get you in touch with many alumni who offer insightful advice on how to begin your process of job search in your specific field.

Second is that networking is KEY! Just a simple chat with a friend of a friend, a relative, or even just a stranger in a store can open a door of opportunities. So always stay friendly and look for those networking opportunities when you get the chance!

Lastly is research. Research is important for any field. You can learn all about a company and their culture before stepping foot in one of their locations. Also, it gives major brownie points during an interview if you already know a ton about the company and can ask insightful questions that show you did your homework. Part of research is asking for informational interviews which give you more knowledge about the company, and ultimately, tying back to networking.

So be sure to research that dream company of yours, check career services, and network, network, network!