If you, like me, only realised that people had actually applied for internships after all the possible deadlines had passed – and now have a pretty empty looking summer – do not fear. There are still plenty of productive, educational, and relaxing things you can do to make the most of your summer.
Firstly, maybe you actually need a break. Without an internship, there are no 7am wake-ups, gruelling deadlines or constant comparisons with you fellow interns. You can now take it easy at home, catch up with those sixth-form friends you’ve been meaning to see, de-stress from the last full-on semester that’s ground you to a pulp. Relaxing is what summer is for, right?
If the idea of staying at home with your parents and siblings all summer sends chills down your spine, why not go on holiday with your friends? I’m not suggesting anything lavish – we are university students, after all – but even a quick camping trip with your friends to an English beach will do the job!
Whilst you may not have secured an internship this time, you can still gain invaluable work experience elsewhere. There are a multitude of waitressing, bartending and nannying jobs that take on university students over the summer holidays, allowing you to fund your summer whilst bulking up your CV.
Holidays and work don’t seem like they would gel, but that’s where au pairing comes in! There are verified websites where you can find the perfect place and family to au pair for during the summer. One of my friends found a lovely family in Geneva last year and had the best six weeks of her life! She got paid to parade around the Swiss city while looking after polite children.
There are also more specific summer jobs that friends, family and myself have all enjoyed. If you love tennis (or live in the southwest London area), you should consider working Wimbledon! It’s a two week stretch where you can work in food, retail, or even player services. Everyone I know who has done it cherishes the experience, so it’s definitely worth applying for (next summer).
Every school across the UK needs invigilators during exam season, so if you can cope with standing around for hours with just your thoughts – and occasionally escorting a stressed student to the bathroom – it is definitely worth applying for. I would suggest emailing your old school or one close-by, as it makes for a familiar and laid-back job.
A few of my friends have been volunteering at festivals with Oxfam for a couple of summers and highly recommend the experience. While the hours can be long, you get to listen to your favourite bands and artists, as well as getting a free meal each shift from one of the food stalls!
You may feel down about your lack of internships, but if you throw yourself at this summer and try to experience as much as possible, those who got an internship might actually be jealous of you!
Photo by Shane Rounce on Unsplash