<p>Many places simply do not have any summer opportunities (even volunteering position have waiting lists that are beyond summer). Nope, economy is no good despite all these talks, not in my home town, people are still getting laid off, bonuses are not paid for first time…etc…and it trickles down as people are taking all that is available at all in terms of job offers or even any volunteering, interning for free.<br>
If you find anything at all, dirtiest min. wage job, any volunteering, whatever else, go ahead, why not? Do not get discouraged too much, many cannot find anything or find very little and just enjoy their summer. Summer classes might not make sense for some either, as Merit awards usually do not cover summers (as one reason). Take them only if it makes sense in your specific situation.</p>
<p>I didn’t read the whole thread but I didn’t see anything to indicate the that original poster had even tried to find something. Yes, maybe there isn’t anything out there but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to at least make an effort to find something.</p>
<p>…unfortunately all might be gone by now, it is May after all, but, yes, why not to try, if there are no better things to do…</p>
<p>My freshman year of college I worked through the school year at a Borders store, then during the summer did a couple hours a week on sunday mornings volunteering at the Humane Society… basically playing with dogs, I’d looked for a job but couldn’t find one. After that, there were classes to take every summer until I graduated… and now I have a real job and there will never be any such thing as summer vacation again. I think OP should find SOMETHING to do, even if it’s something as little as my little volunteer job, just because it’s healthy to have SOME structure. But I also don’t think it’s going to seriously adversely affect his career search in three years if he doesn’t do a whole lot this last summer. If he is a pedal-to-the-metal kind of person the rest of his college career and collects the credentials and experiences he needs, which need not be seriously derailed by taking it easy for a couple months three years out from starting his career, I don’t believe freshman year summer is going to be a deal breaker… JMHO.</p>
<p>Yes, it is absolutely necessary. Plenty of courses or volunteer jobs only take up 8-10 weeks. You’d still have a few weeks to do nothing.</p>
<p>No, it is not absolutely necessary.</p>
<p>If you want the last summer of doing nothing this is the best time to do it. Next summer, after sophomore year, you will know more about what you want and should think of your resume. Those minimum wage jobs are all that you are qualified for at your age, experience and education level- incentives to stay in college. Be thankful you have the option to have a better future. </p>
<p>Working at least part time will give you a focus to your summer. Don’t spend extra money to stay on campus. Enjoy some of the last vestiges of childhood by going home. Do remember to do the assigned chores and not be a burden to your parents. The worst summer for me as a parent was the one son did nothing except occupy space and make more work for me- cooking, dishes… Right now you long for the do nothing days. Once you are stuck at home for the summmer you will run out of things to occupy yourself. HS friends will be working. You can only sleep so much and the social ties of HS will have changed. Look for a hometown job and spend one last summer there.</p>
<p>The college apps invariably have either places to report or specific short answer or essay questions regarding what you do in the summer. Beyond the obvious resume value are the practical life skills doing “something” provides. For my own sanity, I never permit my children to do absolutely nothing. Four choices: job, classes (academic or enrichment of some sort such as art), service, sports or some combination of these. No sleeping in all day and asking me to pick up after them. Even minimal activity could include some service opportunities at no place further than a pre-school for tutoring or the food bank.</p>
<p>^I did not notice the OP is in college, but I think the same applies to students who intend to go to graduate school or get a job, which are obviously the only choices you have after college. Internships are very important as is volunteering in some field. Another possibility is to take classes to ensure graduation in 4 years so you save on tuition and fees. That state university you thought was such a good bargain when you applied? With some state universities (I’m thinking the UCs in CA, in particular), they don’t even call you a freshman any longer in recognition that you cannot get enough courses to move you to what used to be “sophomore” year. You are now a 1st year, 2nd year, etc. and after 4 years, 57% complete their degrees. Pretty grim. My recommendation: take a vacation, but do SOMETHING that enriches your life for at least part of the time.</p>
<p>In my view, volunteering 20 hours a week and doing regular yard work or babysitting for some extra cash IS taking it easy…and still builds the resume.</p>
<p>It will be more difficult to find an ideal position in later, more important summers if your resume reflects sitting around this summer.</p>
<p>Emahee,
Funny that you have mentioned “volunteering at the Humane Society…” - this specific one had huge waiting list for colunteering in our city, they told my D. (you would think that she had an advantage being straight “A” Zoology major) that she has no chance because it is filled way over summer period.
So “plenty of volunteer jobs” is basically a myth this days. None in our city. D. obtained one position though, because she was at it very persistantly, just contacted crazy number of various places and offices and whatever place popped in her head or thru Google. She did not need to do anything in a summer because she has been doing everything during school year, working, volunteering, interning. She just wanted to fill her time without paying for summer classes. Ended up primarily spending her time with friends…believe me, good thing that she did, I fully support anybody doing just that. Your HS friends will be gone after college graduation, have fun with them while you are together.</p>
<p>This OP has talents that make for informal volunteer activities. Ask the children’s ward at a local hospital if you can come in and do caricatures for the kids. Same at a nursing home. Ask a local theater company if you can help with publicity for summer events, then learning real skills as you network to get local papers to either review the play or feature it somehow. Start and publicize a blog.</p>
<p>Our senior center is always, always happy to take volunteers - especially ones that can teach the seniors something.</p>
<p>I am bemused by people who say “there aren’t any jobs or places to volunteer in my town”. I just don’t believe that. I believe that there aren’t any fun jobs. I believe that there aren’t any jobs with convenient hours. I believe that there aren’t any jobs that are deemed “worthy” by the parents or by the kids. I believe that the interesting jobs were snapped up during spring break. I believe that there are jobs or volunteer positions that require some inconvenient sweating. I believe there are are no volunteer positions available working with cuddly animals in an air conditioned shelter, or leading horses for therapy sessions with special needs kids, but I do believe there are volunteer positions available shoveling manure at the therapy barn, or cleaning litter boxes at the shelter. I believe there are tons of volunteer positions in nursing homes and elderly day care facilities. </p>
<p>Unless you are living 40 miles from the nearest town and have no transportation, there are always opportunities to provide valuable service, unless, like Cousin Eddie, you are holding out for a management position. :)</p>
<p>The thing that needs to be considered ( IMO), is that OPs parents expect her to be doing more than “hanging out” this summer.</p>
<p>Re: senior center - perhaps this might sound interesting?
[Bingo</a> Karaoke: at the Greenwood Senior Center](<a href=“http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/reverb/2012/05/bingo_karaoke_irony_heaven_at.php]Bingo”>http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/reverb/2012/05/bingo_karaoke_irony_heaven_at.php)</p>
<p>The OP sounds burnt out to me. I can imagine how all those years of pushing the extracurriculars in high school followed by an intense freshman year could do that to a person.</p>
<p>I think some down time is not a bad idea. If you’ve never had any, it could be an interesting experiment to see how long it takes to become bored enough to want to be doing something besides sleeping late, catching up on daytime television and eating your way through the snacks in the cupboard. Who knows? You might even get a spark of an idea and start writing the Great American Novel.</p>
<p>Down time for the entire summer, however, is another question, and it sounds like OP’s parent is not on board with that idea. I think there’s room for compromise: nothing scheduled until a specific date (June 1?) but then OP finds some constructive activity to fill the days. </p>
<p>My kids’ experiences with school vacations were that the majority of their friends were either away somewhere or had taken jobs/internships/volunteer work and weren’t around to hang around with, anyway.</p>
<p>^ doesn’t sound burnt out to me. The vibe I get is “low energy, can I get away with it?”</p>
<p>In today’s economy, that’s risky. When you go for the first real job, they need to know you’ve got some ability to take on responsibilities and meet commitments they set for you. School newspaper, DJ and cartooning may not show that. Those and the upcoming hoped-for internship are what’s available in front of you. It’s not real world.</p>
<p>OP wrote that just “any job” wouldn’t be personally meaningful. That’s pretty youthful.</p>
<p>I’m not sure about the animal shelter or a nursing home. Logically, you should find something to do with your journalism interests. Another idea is find a local resource for the needy- eg, a soup kitchen. There’s always need for help and they are usually loosely enough structured that you can work regularly and then identify ways you can take on additional responsibilities. You spot need and you take it on. Hey, just like in college apps, it shows you can step out of your “comfort zone.” </p>
<p>My kids, btw, will work 730-515 this summer, same as last, and they had plenty of time left for fun with friends.</p>
<p>I might have missed this on the thread, but if not look up today’s Zits comic strip. My DS was told to Google it. Its a discussion we have had for a couple of years and FINALLY he is doing it. Love it when maturity hits.</p>
<p>It definitely does not hurt to do everything you can to get work experience during summer months. </p>
<p>Even if you’re not sure what it is you want to do, intern or volunteer anyway. You’ll get some kind of idea of what your interests are- even if it’s just realizing that maybe you don’t want the job you thought you wanted. </p>
<p>And yes, minimum-wage jobs are better than nothing. Those jobs still teach you the responsibility of being a part of a company. Joining the “real world” is really intimidating, and it’s even scarier when you have no experience whatsoever. It looks much better to employers if you have at least some experience instead of having an empty resume.</p>
<p>Three-four months is a long time to do nothing.</p>
<p>If you could really use the money, why not just work for half the summer? Then you make everyone happy.</p>