Making the most out of your summer: A primer for first-gen students
When senior John Mabin Jr first enrolled at King’s College in 2019, he had no idea what an internship was.?
As the first in his family to go to college, the Philadelphia native didn’t even know that he’d need a laptop for classes until stepping foot on campus. And later, when he decided to pursue engineering, he discovered that it was essential to gain hands-on work experience over the summers.
“There were certain things that I just wasn’t akin to, that other people might have known going in,” Mabin says.?
For many college students, the summer between each academic year may seem like a critical time to build professional experiences. But for first-gen students, securing and navigating those opportunities may seem intimidating and, without the right guidance, hopeless. This week on The Starting Line, we spoke with Mabin and King’s College academic director Kelly Lettieri on how students can make the most out of their summers.?
Summer is a time to get out of your comfort zone
First-gen students may be afraid to stray from their comfort zones over the summer, which may include working a retail job or staying home to take care of their family, says Lettieri. They may not look for opportunities that could advance their careers or take steps to understand what’s out there.?
“There’s a sense of fear among the students,” she says. “They think, ‘This is what I’m comfortable with and if I walk away … is it going to be sustainable?’”
Instead of listening to that fear, Mabin pushed himself to find new and valuable experiences over the summer. After his freshman year, he enrolled in two summer engineering classes and worked at his local grocery store. He spent his sophomore summer rotating tires and filing claims at a family friend’s mechanic shop. And last year, he worked for a program called Envision by WorldStrides, teaching incoming high school students in Atlanta about engineering subjects like mechatronics and sustainability. He stresses that what made all of these experiences possible was a willingness to put himself out there and simply try.?
“Everybody is different, so what they can expect to come out of these summer opportunities can vary widely,” Mabin says. “I didn’t put a limit on myself — I applied to anything I thought applied to my major and what I was interested in.”
领英推荐
Summer is a time to be a sponge
The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally disrupted the college experience for many, Lettieri says. But whether your summer opportunity is in-person or remote, there are several steps you can take to make the most of the experience.
The first day of any summer internship or job is important, Lettieri stresses. Take the time to get to know your team, the company and how it functions. And while the first day is a great time to ask your most pressing questions, make sure to remain observant and curious.?
“Start with your supervisor,” advises Lettieri. “Ask questions, show your work ethic and show who you are.”
Mabin recommends that you lean on peers, especially those who are continuing generation. He remembers taking engineering courses with classmates with parents who owned heavy machinery and, in turn, already knew how to operate them. Rather than allow himself to feel discouraged about his lack of knowledge, he asked his peers for advice on how to improve.?
“It’s not your fault you don’t have the same background knowledge that they had,” Mabin says. ”The reality of it is that you just happen to be first-gen. And that the only way to deal with it is to attack it head on.”
Summer is a time for growth, no matter what you do
Internships and research aren’t the only ways to productively spend your summers, according to Lettieri. Volunteer work and summer courses can offer meaningful resume experience, stimulate your brain and expand your skill set.?
“Take every opportunity you can and don’t sit back,” Lettieri says.?
Students may feel discouraged if they haven’t been able to land their dream summer internship, or any internship at all. But it’s important that first-gen students don’t take rejection as a reflection of their value, Mabin says. Not only is rejection normal, it’s inevitable in the competitive summer internship ecosystem.
“At first you may feel like, ‘Oh man, I'm not getting them because I don't have the same experience as all the other people,’” says Mabin. “But that’s not the end. There’s so much more out there for you, and I’m rooting for you.”
Higher education leader using equity-minded practices to increase applications, student diversity, and outreach strategies
1 年I agree with the recommendations to network, especially the later students are in their college experience. If you have a major that really interests you or industry you are pushing towards (especially for juniors who are rising seniors) find a summer program, internship, research , or a conference you can attend. Many colleges have programs through academic departments or career services that could link you to a specific event and may even have financial options to help with fees for registration and travel. In other cases, the alumni office may be able to connect students to graduates who have taken the same degree into a field and allow students to network with those people to think about their next steps. If you're earlier in the college process, maybe after year 1. Don't be afraid to go home for the summer. If you had a job previously, great teachers from high school, or other connections, you can build on those. I found summer jobs through family members to make some money that I knew would help me in year 2 as a college student. You might also find local programs that you feel you could bring more value to as a lead person.
Associate Professor of Media Production and Communicaton
1 年Love this conversation, which I like to start when I first advising a student and entice them by offering varied possibilities, with enthusiasm and humor. As for breaks, summer and shorter, I suggest networking with career purpose, starting with family and friends, and then as they enjoy their sumer. Start a conversation with folks waiting in the amusement park line, restaurant wait, with genuine interest and joy. It is amazing the connections that are possible by engaging with community.
Trainer, Teacher, Coach
1 年I'd recommend that students check out www.southwesternadvantage.com. It is a summer internship program designed for students who want to make money and also get experience for their future careers. I ended up working there for more than a summer or two--in fact, I spent 35+ years there. It tests students and is not for everyone. As a third-year student in college, I just got sick of the "normal" jobs: lifeguarding, mowing lawns, and decided to try something more adventurous and challenging. So, that's my recommendation--check out The Southwestern Advantage as a summer possibility.
Conservatory for the Performing Arts
1 年So many good thoughts here. So much of the advice here is focused on doing the extra things that will make you stand out in the crowd. I would like to offer up a slightly different idea. In a time of life/work imbalance for nearly everyone, I would like to suggest you seek out experiences and invest in the areas that make you a more healthy and balanced human. Identify the things that fill you, that inspire you, that restore you. DO THOSE THINGS!! You will be a better student, a better employee, a better citizen when you learn to value your revitalization efforts as much as your resume building!
Associate Professor, Philip Merrill College of Journalism
1 年Michael Smith and Kevin Sayyid did a fine job covering the main points I would make. Students should reach out to their professors starting in the Fall semester about a summer internship. I ask my students to bring in their resume and we discuss goals and potential pathways. They should attend any career fair on campus, even if they are not interested in the employers, just to get the experience of having a job conversation. It will help their confidence during their eventual "real" interview. Students should also contact the career center on campus and have the same discussion. I ask my students to think broadly - my first paid writing job was with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Did I want to work for the Army? Write press releases? No. But the people in that office were great mentors and solid editors. It was a very positive experience and my writing improved dramatically and I moved on to news jobs after that. My last point is for all of the professors. The traditional mentorship program in newsrooms largely is dead. We need to fill that gap. Students need our support when they go into an internship and when they get their first jobs. Help students make this transition with counseling as they navigate this new world.