Whether you are relaxing at home, working, or interning, volunteering, or traveling this summer, the long break brings about endless possibilities.
For some students, catching up on the sleep they lost during the school year might be the plan, but many Terps will be taking advantage of the long summer to be productive.
A common option that pays good money is babysitting. Bridget Morris, a freshman special and early education major, plans to nanny for two different families with young boys full time. “There’s nothing I feel more passionate about or more natural doing than taking care of kids,” she said.
Morris also said working with kids through her many years of babysitting has led her to discover what she wants to do with her career. She said, “I cannot wait to do something with kids for the rest of my life.”
Another summer job is retail. Lissy Gehring, a sophomore communications major, plans to work full-time at Nordstrom. “I am working there because Nordstrom has a great customer service and I love being able to help people,” Gehring said.
Many Terps were also excited to share their summer internship plans. Alaina Swindell Jones, a junior marketing and supply chain major, will be a marketing intern at USA Today. She says her internship will help her with her future career. “In my future, I think I want to find my way into the more creative side of marketing, but I think it’s important I grasp the whole process first,” she said.
A lot of people have the impression that internships are just for upperclassmen, but freshman kinesiology major Anna Carmen found a paid internship with Adolph & Kalkstein Chiropractic. “My hopes for this internship are to get a better feel for the chiropractic field and see if it is right for me,” said Carmen.
Terps are also choosing to volunteer their time. Lauryn Ahn, a sophomore criminology and psychology double major, is working with a non-profit organization in the Dominican Republic like she has done in previous years with her church. “The Dominican is like another home to me,” Ahn said. “I want to continue to help that country in any way that I can,” This service trip doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with her future career, but it’s something Ahn hopes to continue to do regardless of where her actual career path goes.
Students also take this time to travel and just relax. Cathy Gonzalez, a freshman family science major, is going to Spain for three weeks.. “I’m looking forward to getting away with my sisters and experiencing a new culture,” she gushed.
Unfortunately, summer isn’t schoolwork-free for everyone. Some students are choosing to take summer classes. Ayanna Willis, a freshman economics major, for example, will be taking classes to keep herself busy as well as to keep her on track to graduate in four years.
However you choose to spend your summer, make it a successful summer ’16.