FirstGen Ahead coaches not only work one-on-one with college students, but they engage in problem-solving as a group. During the April Zoom Coach session, the coaches suggested creative ideas for students who might not land a summer internship due to COVID-19 and the resulting shut/slowdown of the economy. These creative ideas for building networks, skills, and experiences that will be beneficial for your future career are:

  1. Reach out to internship contacts and offer to volunteer on a project that is helpful in a crisis — think of options beforehand. People will remember who offered help in a crisis.
  2. Consider volunteering remotely at an organization anywhere in the world; you are not limited to the Boston area like you may have been limited when applying for internships.
  3. Consider any part-time job — anything you learn is valuable and is likely to be transferable to future jobs that are in line with your professional interests.
  4. Revisit the network map you worked on with your coach a few months ago–reach out to those you wanted to have a conversation with — it could lead to an opportunity.
  5. Take summer classes to alleviate the course load during senior year.
  6. Take free class(es) through Coursera or edX (see article below).
  7. Check out your university’s virtual career fairs.

Finally, in the economic downturn we’re now experiencing with increasing unemployment and furloughs, it is important not to take a lack of an internship personally. Rather, be creative and as productive as you can be to make it a meaningful summer.