<p>This summer I am studying abroad from early-July to mid-August, but I'd also like to do something significantly important before then. I'll have finished my first year of college, and I want to be an active, competitive student for any post-graduate jobs or education. </p>
<p>I haven't officially declared a major yet, but I'm taking several foreign language courses and should be able to major in one and minor in another without too much difficulty. I'll also be able to either add another minor or another major all together. I like writing and reading, so I'm considering English, but I know that I still have a lot of opportunities. </p>
<p>Would getting an internship at some kind of editing/publishing firm (or something foreign language-related) be hard to do as a sophomore? Also, would it hurt that I'd only be able to do it in May and June? My parents want me to to just focus on studying abroad (where I'll get 8-12 credits towards my foreign language minor, which only requires 20 total), but I feel like I should push myself to do even more and show a variety of interests and experience. </p>
<p>Money isn't a problem, so I don't have to worry about working or anything. My mom is also paying for my study abroad trip, but if I were to do anything else that requires a substantial amount of money, I'd have I pay for it myself. </p>
<p>Thanks for reading, and I'd appreciate some ideas and reflections on what your kids did!</p>
<p>I think it would be great if you can get an internship for that time period and likely if it’s unpaid. However, if that’s your plan, you should have started applying last fall. Good luck!</p>
<p>I doubt there are many 6 week interships available for May-June, but you never know. </p>
<p>You might be able to get a short term job. My sister, cousin, and SIL were all French majors, and all got their starts answering phones in companies with a large French client base. They needed to speak enough French to understand things like “I need to speak to Mr. Jones” or “I’m calling from your office in Paris and need someone in customer service.”</p>
<p>All three learned to do other things in the office (mining and real estate, law, and telecommunications), but at first it was just answering phones. Check with temp agencies in your area.</p>
<p>As your language skills improve you may be able to work as a translator at a hospital, clinic or school. These types of skills are in demand as many non-English speaking individuals attempt to negotiate their way through the health care and educational systems. Some translators work by phone on a language line and others accompany the individual to the appt. You would probably be a very welcome volunteer and could work your way into a paid position.</p>
<p>Windbehindwings, would there be enough demand for interns for such a thing? I would think that a hospital would already have their needs in this regard worked out without relying on interns.</p>
<p>Grabble, yes, finding such an internship would be hard for you. Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try, you might find one. But you shouldn’t rely on finding one or expect to find one.</p>
<p>This is a creative idea but worth trying since it costs you nothing. Post on the craigslist that you are a rising Soph looking for a summer opportunity/internship in the area you think you want to work. Make your “ad” short and to the point. You can even say you are leaving to go on a study abroad so only have the month of June available.</p>
<p>The craigslist has several categories you could post this ad in depending on the field you want experience plus you can post in just the city that you live.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the input! You all are right; it’s probably too late to apply for one now. When do you normally apply for internships? I’ll have to keep it in mind for next year. Also, does it have to be directly related to my major? Or can it be in anything I have skills/interest in?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry so much about filling a resume.</p>
<p>You have a worthwhile experience already set up for the summer.</p>
<p>Will you be home in May and June? Can you work as a temp? Or, since money is not an issue, rather than intern, try offering services as a volunteer somewhere. Hospitals need volunteers all the time, and perhaps it could eventually relate to your goals.</p>
<p>Your internship does not have to relate directly to your major necessarily. Sometimes students get great internships after sophomore year, but it is more common after junior year, when you are coming in to range for hiring, and the companies like to get a look at you.</p>
<p>You might be able to find something at your university. For example, lots of people work at the reunion/graduation and can generally stay in their dorm room. Tufts has some half summer positions who do the work of keeping the dorms working for various conferences and programs that use Tufts in the summer. They are for Tufts students only, but your college might have similar programs. Otherwise if you look more for a volunteering opportunity as opposed to an internship you may have better luck. You definitely don’t need to look for things directly related to your major though of course that’s a plus. Any work experience is better than none.</p>
<p>Thanks for the additional info! I will look into any special events at my university. And I will be home during May and June, so I probably can volunteer somewhere. </p>
<p>Also, I could maybe start a research-type project. I know that foreign language majors usually read and analyze literature in their target language and then write about the literature, so maybe I can start a book and write practice critiques or something.</p>