The end of the semester is three weeks away. I don’t know about you guys, but the closer we get to finals week, the more narrow my vision gets. I forget about everything except finishing that last project and making another flashcard set. So before that mania really takes hold, it’s important to know what you’re doing for the summer. And if you’re someone who does not have a summer internship in your field, this is not the time to panic. Your summer can still be very productive and helpful, even if you don’t have an official position. So let's take a few minutes now a make a plan for your summer so that after finals week, you can take a bit of a breather then hit the ground running.
Your first goal should be to build skills. There are a lot of options in this area. You can take summer classes through UMBC, find massive open online courses (a lot of these are free!), or even begin preparing for the classes you’ll take next semester. Even something like watching youtube tutorials about a topic you’re interested in can be helpful. Focus on expanding or deepening your skills in a few areas of your major this summer. You’d be surprised how far that can go.
Next, build experience. “But Emily”, you might say, “the whole reason I’m reading this article is because I don’t have an internship or job coming up! How am I supposed to build experience?” Well, never fear. Experience comes in many shapes. If you want to build professional experience, consider finding a regular summer job. It might not be your first choice, but even jobs way outside of your major can be helpful in the future. They help develop professional skills and cultivate references. If you want to build experience in your field, consider working on personal projects and freelancing. Not only do these look great on your resume, but they can also help you build relevant skills to your major and interpersonal skills that you’ll use for the rest of your life.
Finally, consider volunteering. Charities and nonprofits need your time, and the work can be fulfilling and rewarding. There are even options in your major! Be sure to talk to the Shriver Center for more details, or coordinate through a local nonprofit. Volunteering is a great way to fill a few hours and round out your resume, all while helping people.
So there you have it. How to spend your summer without an internship. I personally suggest dividing your time in a 2:3:1 ratio between skills, experience, and volunteering respectively. So if you want to dedicate around 20 hours a week to productivity, spend 6 of them building skills, 10 of them gaining experience, and 3 of them volunteering. You’ll finish your summer strong and ready to take on whatever comes next with a killer resume in your corner!
Example of URA application questions to review, before you apply:
Research Statement of Specific Aim(s), Purpose, or Goals(s)
(Note: If you are a current URA scholar, explain how this proposal differs from /or advances your current work.)
Name:Jordyn McKenzie
Internship, Co-op or Research Site: myTV Baltimore
Position Title: Production/Promotion Intern
Major(s)/Minor(s):Media and Communications / Minor: Creative Writing
Work Term:Winter 2018
Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities.
I worked for BMORE Lifestyle which is a show with myTV Baltimore, a sub-station of FOX45. Everyday I went in and checked my email before doing anything else so that I could stay up to date with the shoots, guests, and if I was going to shadow someone in a different department. Then I would head down to the studio a little while later with the rest of the Lifestyle team and help prepare the guests for their segment. During filming of the show, I would usually run the teleprompter which is the screen that has the on-air talents script. We would do this for about two hours a day until heading back upstairs for the post-show discussion. During this time, we discussed what we thought of the guests, any issues that arose, and also planned out new segment ideas for the following weeks. After this, I would normally spend the rest of the day at my desk reaching out to potential guests, working on writing my original promo that would eventually go on-air multiple times on WBFF’s station, or I would help the production crew with special tapings of events the station was hosting.
Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I met with a recruiter for FOX45 during the Fall 2018 Career Fair and remained in contact with him for a few weeks until the station’s internship positions were posted. From there, I applied online and then told my contact that I submitted all the necessary materials for the position and he forwarded my information to the hiring manager. About a week later, I received a call from my soon-to-be supervisor and set up an interview. We had the interview and not long after I was contacted again and told that they wanted to offer me the position.
What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization?
Honestly, the people that I was able to work with every day were probably the best part of the internship. Of course, I was able to learn so much about the industry and I am so grateful for the opportunities I had, but I think your experience has a lot to do with the people you interact with and learn from every day. The on-air talent, producers, and production crew were incredibly welcoming and ensured that I felt like a valuable asset to their team from the beginning. I can definitely say that I made some great connections which added nothing but eagerness and excitement for my position.
How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
Throughout the few months I worked with BMORE Lifestyle, I was able to pitch multiple segment ideas to the producers and talent, and was able to bring in new guests the show had never worked with before. I was also able to create an original promo for one of the station’s shows that actually aired several times. With all of this, I believe I was able to help the show establish new contacts for potentially segment ideas down the road, and also help promote an existing show for FOX.
What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
I would advise to start feeling comfortable with the uncomfortable. Starting out at UMBC, my major was on the opposite spectrum of MCS and I had career goals nowhere near what they are today. I was lucky enough to discover a passion for television and entertainment early enough to change my path during my undergrad career and have been able to obtain various experiences relating to that. However, it wasn’t easy getting to where I am now, but I’ve learned that it’s okay to not have everything planned out. It’s okay to change what you thought you wanted to do, and it’s okay to explore opportunities that are outside your field of study. Also, definitely utilize the Career Center and their events because you can absolutely find invaluable experiences like the one I had with BMORE Lifestyle. The staff at the Career Center are more than willing to help you whether it’s reviewing your resume, finding an internship, or helping with the transition post grad.
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