By: RA Chad
Edited by Peter Milobar
It might be hard to believe, but summer break is now less than two months away! By now, you’ve probably thought about what you’re planning to do this summer. You might be travelling, taking summer school, or perhaps you’re looking for a summer job. If the latter case applies to you, looking for jobs might seem like a daunting process, but it doesn’t have to be! Here is a guide to help you navigate the process:
Part I – What can a summer job do for you?
If you’re unsure of what types of jobs you’d like to apply for, ask yourself the following questions:
- Why do I want a summer job?
- What am I hoping to get out of having a summer job?
Your response to these questions might include the following:
- Gain transferrable skills (ex. communication, problem solving, data collection, etc.)
- Provide the necessary background knowledge or experience to pursue other job or involvement opportunities
- Identify possible career options
- Make money
Once you’ve reflected on this, you should have a clearer understanding of why you want a summer job and what types of jobs align well with your personal goals.
Part II – Finding a Job
There are several places to look for summer jobs. These include advertisements, websites, social media, career fairs, through friends or family, through volunteer experiences, or through previous job experiences.
While looking for jobs that are advertised to the public is a great start, there are several reasons to consider finding your own summer job. They are as follows:
- Reduces competition
- More likely to find a job that’s tailored to you and your goals
- Let’s you access the ‘hidden job market’
To elaborate on this last point, around 80% of jobs are unadvertised. Why?
- Employers don’t have time to review a lot of job applications
- Employers prefer to hire within their personal and professional networks
- It’s expensive for employers to advertise
Now, let’s talk a little about networking. Networking is the process of initiating or maintaining informal relationships, which can lead to future job or business opportunities. Hearing the word ‘networking’ might make you groan or cringe, but it does have its benefits. They are as follows:
- Obtain relevant career information
- Start or build upon a foundation of contacts
- Access the ‘hidden job market’
Finally, networking is not limited to formal networking events with suits and business cards galore. There are several places where networking can take place, which are summarized in the table below:
| On campus | Off campus | In your current job |
| · Talking to professors and/or TAs
· Joining or talking to student clubs or organizations · Career fairs |
· Career or job fairs
· Industry events · Conferences · Volunteer activities · Community groups · Sports teams |
· Having lunch or coffee with your boss or a co-worker
· Company events (seminars, workshops, journal clubs, etc.) |
Keep in mind that these tips can be used for all jobs, and not just summer jobs. However, after going through this process, you’ll be well on your way to finding a summer job that’s right for you. Good luck!
Follow
