Catching that Summer Job

The past few months have challenged me to step out and be more than I’ve ever been before. Stepping out into leadership in ways I have never been able to before have forced me to grow up and take charge. I’ve been told that in order to get back up after a failure, one has to do more than just the ordinary, and well above the bare minimum.  I took a step back from blogging, and then I attempted to start a healthy living vegetarian blog, and while I did a fairly good job of cutting back on the junk food during April, the blog never took off, and I ended up abandoning it. After months of lurking, but not commenting on everyone’s lovely blogs, I decided I miss it so much I wanted to start over here at Elle Enchanted. I’ve removed all my old posts, mostly because this isn’t going to be that blog. It will be different. Same girl, same name, different blog.

I have a strategy planned for my next year at school, and now all I have to do is execute it. The next challenge I face is finding a new job for the summer. My current job isn’t taking students for the summer so I won’t have any hours till the end of August, which of course leaves a big gaping hole in my wallet.

This dilemma faces thousands of college students every year. Finding that coveted summer job (or more than just a summer job for that matter- a steady part time gig is great as well). It is no easy feat. Last year I sent in over thirty applications before getting a single interview, and luckily for me it landed me a job. I don’t know what this summer holds yet, and I will also be juggling three summer classes (though I start with just two, the  third is only 6 weeks long), ~16 hours a week of unpaid lab research for academic credit, and volunteering at a local hospital, and potentially shadowing a pharmacist. It’s a busy schedule but my classes meet only three days a week, and I am willing to delegate time. I also have a lot of planning to do for the fall semester in my new leadership role in a student organization.

My strategy or key to finding that summer job is to apply anywhere you can. I’ve been submitting a steady stream of applications to various stores in the last two weeks since finishing a difficult set of final exams (yay for passing every bit of those 17 credits, including Organic Chemistry 2, my long-time nemesis!). I suggest looking into places that get more business in the summer (local froyo and ice cream shops), food places, office supply stores, and clothing stores. Also local offices may be looking for an assistant, and as someone who’s first paying job besides babysitting was in an office, I have to say it’s a really nice setting to work in- a lot more laid back than retail, but retail definitely offers more hours.

When you get an interview, keep in mind what you’ve done inside and outside of work experience that is relevant to the task at hand. This will also come in handy when looking for a full-time job after graduation. If you have leadership skills beyond what can be seen on your resume, try using a curriculum vitae instead. Good luck! (And wish me luck too.) I’ll let you all know how the search turns out, and if you have any suggestions, leave them below in the comment box!