<p>So I'm currently a college freshman, and I'm trying to figure out what to do this summer. I would really like to use the time as an opportunity to learn about my career interests, which has led me to search for an internship in editing/publishing or library science.</p>
<p>I think I must have used every search engine out there, and I've reluctantly come to the conclusion that most internships offered to college students are:</p>
<p>1) Aimed at rising seniors or recent graduates. Most require applicants to be at least rising juniors.
2) Located in a major city like New York, Washington DC, or Chicago, far from my hometown and family (whom I would like to see during the summer).
3) In fields such as finance, business, marketing, etc.</p>
<p>Oh, and did I mention that most of the cool-sounding New York internships for rising seniors require applicants to have previous experience in the field before they even consider applying?</p>
<p>Also, it is ridiculously expensive to relocate to a new city for three months. Continuing the New York example, I would spend my entire stipend (and more) just to cover housing alone, and that's assuming that the internship is paid.</p>
<p>I guess I was just wondering if anyone else is in the same/a similar situation, and what they're planning to do about it. I have general job experience and I'm reasonably sure that I could get a standard summer job selling pool concessions if I wanted to, but I would really prefer to learn something AND make a little money if at all possible.</p>
<p>What are you guys doing with our limited options?</p>
<p>I’m going to be working with a professor in my field of interest. Have you tried emailing some professors in your major and asking if they need any help in the lab/whatever they work (I don’t know your major)? Typically, a freshman won’t be able to do much since you have so little experience, but some are willing to take on another pair of helping hands and possibly let you do some upper level work.</p>
<p>As a sophomore now I will most likely try to find an intern. in a hotel company during my career fair or I will apply to the intern. program at Southwest Airlines which people say is a fun time. You should consider maybe staying in your school area and take a class or two while working. Many people leave so there would be a good number of campus jobs available that includes being an aide for a professor and his research. If not you could always just getting working experience in a company while making money in your hometown…</p>
<p>I don’t have a major, and my school does not have a summer session. Professors do keep research assistants on hand, but that is usually through personal arrangement and only available to upperclassmen.</p>
<p>I would really like to stay in my hometown (St. Louis) for this particular summer because I want to be near my family. What about jobs–any ideas for positions that hire college students and might teach skills beyond “what it’s like to have a job”?</p>
<p>Also, for any upperclassmen here, what did YOU do the summer after freshman year?</p>
<p>Are you interested in politics? Contact your local representatives or even reps at the state level and ask them if they’d be interested in taking on a summer intern. (As long as they have space for you I’m sure they would… who’d say no to free labor?) 
I did an internship with a pretty high profile politician the summer after my freshman year, so it’s definitely a reasonable option for freshmen.</p>