<p>I decided to come home for the summer, and there isn't much to do. The job market is pretty dry, and the employer I worked for last summer is under new management, meaning no job. Very few people are hiring temp workers, but I do ref tournaments so I have some income. I am taking 2 summer courses at Pitt, but I have too much free time. I work out/read everyday, hang out w/friends but it feels really dead at home compared to school. Any suggestions on what to do for the summer (doesn't involve spending much $)? I feel incredibly unproductive.</p>
<p>Teach yourself new skills. For example, if your into computers, learn how to create a new site, or learn how to program.</p>
<p>Find an internship for yourself. I found one last summer by cold calling some businesses that were in my chosen field. The third phone call proved to be successful. They let me work the hours I wanted - - I made a schedule and then stuck with it.</p>
<p>Do some volunteer work. There’s plenty of options when it comes to that. Look around and you might even find something kinda fun.</p>
<p>I agree with volunteer work. You might be able to find something that’s really interesting and gives you an opportunity to work with people your age on something in which you have great mutual interest. Try using VolunteerMatch or one of the other free services to find something; you never know what’s out there.</p>
<p>And even though there are so few paid internships out there right now, there are a lot of unpaid ones that could be well worth the effort.</p>