How Not to Freak Out if You Can’t Find an Internship

Are you burnt out from applying to fifteen different internships within the last week?  Do you feel like if you write one more cover letter, you’ll explode?  Or maybe you simply can’t find a summer internship that you’re excited about?  If you’re feeling stressed out because you can’t seem to find the right internship, consider exploring these other summer options:
 

If You Love Kids…
Have you considered working as an Au Pair in a foreign country?  Au Pairing can be a pretty sweet deal – you get matched with a family in the country of your choosing (commonly France, Spain, the UK, or somewhere else in Europe).  They provide you with room and board – and usually a modest stipend as well – in exchange for light household chores and childcare services.  It’s an insanely cheap way to travel abroad, plus a great opportunity to learn a new language and really get to know a new city.
 
How to use it on a resume: Being a successful Au Pair requires an exceptional amount of responsibility and self-sufficiency, traits you can play up when writing cover letters to apply for jobs.  Plus, many employers are on the lookout for job candidates who have lived abroad or can speak multiple languages.
 
Get started:
For Britain click here
For Spain click here
A quick Google search for “Au Pair in _______” will yield dozens of agencies.  But make sure to use common sense to avoid scams!
 
 

If You Like Working Outside…
Another great way to get work experience and travel on the cheap is to sign up for WWOOF (pronounced like “woof”).  WWOOF stands for World Wide Opportunities and Organic Farms, and offers enthusiastic volunteers the chance to live and learn on organic farms across the world.  The farms come in all different sizes and each has its own specialty, so you can choose a farm based on your specific interests.  Volunteers can WWOOF (yes, it’s also a verb) for any length of time, from only a week or two to an entire summer.  Generally volunteers work in exchange for room and board, but in some cases, different arrangements can be made (e.g. a few more hours of work for a small stipend).
 
How to use it on a resume: WWOOFing can provide a unique perspective on environmental issues that can help you land a job in environmental policy, advocacy, or agricultural research.  More generally, WWOOFing can stand out on a resume as a truly unique job experience that requires a superb work ethic.
 
Get started:
To access their website click here
To WWOOF in the USA click here
To get access to the U.S. directory, you’ll have to pay a fee of $20.  Most countries have their own WWOOF pages, all with similar startup fees.
 
 

If You Need A Little Extra Money…
In this economy, it can be almost as hard to land a paid retail job as it is to get an internship!  But being on the lookout for retail positions as well as internships can expand your options.  Plus, unpaid internships can be a huge drain on your savings – and it never hurts to have a little extra pocket cash!  Living at home and working full time for a summer can generate a substantial amount of income.
 
How to use it on a resume:  Real-life job experience can be a huge asset in getting a job.  Also, many jobs will require you to interact with customers in some way.  Experience working efficiently and politely with customers looks great on a resume – plus, it can help you succeed in interviews!
 
Get stated:
Craigslist can be a good place to start – but as always, be on the lookout for scams.  Ask your friends if there are any openings at their workplaces, and keep your eye open for “help wanted” signs in windows.  Or, just do it the hard way – go to your local mall or shopping center and pop into each store asking if they’re hiring.