What else can I do this summer?
When college students think about the summer, they often default to internships or summer jobs. These are fine options, including staying at Wesleyan to work on campus (see Handshake for current opportunities). But there are many other ways to build your skill sets and test your career interests, either instead of or in addition to paid work. Here are a few options.
Complete projects via Forage
Forage offers free virtual work simulations that let you “try on” various roles and industries, working through real-world tasks designed by top employers like Accenture, JPMorgan Chase, and Lululemon. These self-paced, hands-on experiences are a great way to discover potential career paths, enhance your resume, and build confidence as you prepare for internships or your first job. Each program simulates real work scenarios, helping you gain firsthand insights into specific roles and industries while building the skills employers look for in candidates. Programs typically take 5-8 hours to complete, and you can choose which experiences align with your career interests. You can even showcase your experience on your resume and LinkedIn profile!
Learn new skills via Coursera
If you register on Coursera with your Wesleyan e-mail, you will have access to multitudes of free content on everything from data analytics to social media marketing. Not sure what you want to pursue? Consider Career Decisions: From Insight to Impact, which aims to help learners understand their motivations, strengths, and goals, and appreciate how personal identity affects career decision-making.
Prep for industry-specific interviews in business
Some industries, like finance, consulting, and tech rely on rigorous interview processes that require knowledge you’re unlikely to be getting in the classroom. Don’t want to cram for your interview at the same time as your data analysis final? Start familiarizing yourself now with what you need to know. When you’re ready to practice, log into Big Interview, an online training platform designed to help you learn and practice your interview skills.
Read film and TV scripts
Reading scripts is invaluable for aspiring screenwriters because it directly exposes you to the craft and mechanics of screenwriting in ways that watching movies or reading about screenwriting cannot. The Writer’s Guild Foundation is a great resource for finding scripts to read, and even has a YouTube channel with master classes and Zoom panels. The Academy at American High also offers free All-Star Workshop videos.
Start preparing for graduate school exams
While most Wesleyan graduates take time off between college and graduate or professional school, some choose to take their entrance exams well in advance while they’re still in “test-taking mode.” Confer with your career advisor about how to best prepare.
Work on your Handshake and LinkedIn profiles
Having a professional online presence has never been more important, and college students who maintain complete profiles on both Handshake and LinkedIn (don’t forget the About section!) are best positioned to be seen by potential employers. You can also use the People section of Handshake to see the profiles of your classmates as well as recent alums. On LinkedIn, find Wesleyan alumni quickly with the “Alumni” tab on the official university page. Want to reach out? Check out our networking guide for tips.
Need more ideas? Schedule an appointment with a GCC advisor. We’re available all summer!
