Remember the days when summer break meant just that — a break; playing with friends, going to the beach, camping, athletics or maybe even vacationing? As a college student or graduate, there’s more to summer now. Vast opportunities await. But why? Why not just hang out with friends or work the job you had in high school?
Experiences matter. Besides adding substance to your resume, what you do during your break has the potential to change your life. That statement feels like it should have some inspirational music track swelling underneath, but it is true. Each experience you have shapes you.
Stepping into the professional world of your potential career path means growth. You gain confidence. You have the chance to learn about the environment and culture of the industry you are exploring. It’s also a chance to take what you are learning in the classroom into the work environment and see how it fits.
There are a variety of options for students to choose from for summer employment and experiences. Much of the time, your interest or major may dictate what’s best for you and your trajectory. Let’s go through the most common opportunities available.
Research
There are research opportunities with professors right here on our campus through the Office of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities and even more at other colleges and universities. The Community Impact Hub hosts community-based research in the summer as well. Students work with local organizations taking classroom lessons and applying them to real-world situations. The Smithsonian Institution has summer research programs in several of its departments, and here in Pennsylvania, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources offers unique experiences for students. Your advisors and faculty members know their fields best, and can help you identify suitable research areas and may even be willing to connect you with others in areas that fit your interests. Research offers real-life experience in the lab, outside the classroom. It allows you to focus on a specific topic and contribute to the development of something that may be groundbreaking. Participating in research may even lead to being credited as an author in published works.
Internships & Externships
Internships and externships are extremely exciting! I say this because it’s one of the main reasons I am working in the Center for Career & Professional Development. It’s my actual job to find opportunities for Allegheny students and connect businesses to the college so you can apply and get hired. Who knew this was a job? I didn’t until I saw it posted last spring. And there, my friends, is the first benefit of an internship — discovering what positions actually exist out in the world. Another benefit of interning is seeing if you truly enjoy the field you are studying before you get out into the world. There are other obvious benefits too, like becoming familiar with a company and its culture and using an internship as a 60- or 90-day trial period in an effort to receive a job offer at the end.
Many internships have a project for the student to complete by the summer’s end, giving you a chance to present what you have learned to senior leaders of that company. These experiences are invaluable. They build character, expand your knowledge base, teach you how to work with various personalities and add to your skillset. Throughout the summer you are working toward a goal and building upon your experiences. Each experience tests your current skillset and allows you to develop it even more. Learning to work with various personalities expands your emotional intelligence, which makes you more aware of those around you and more thoughtful of the work you are accomplishing together. Character is built through moments when your integrity and determination may be tested, your ability to work as a team player, and even how you maintain motivation through less exciting, but necessary tasks.
One of the best things about an internship is the networking. I know, networking can seem very intimidating, but it is rather simple. Make small talk. Get to know those around you — peers, employees, leaders. Ask them questions about themselves and the work they do. If you leave a good impression you could have a reference or connection down the road. You never know where just one connection will take you.
Volunteering
We all know how good it feels to give back through volunteering. Doing service over the summer can lead to wonderful places too. It’s about connecting with the work and the people. Volunteering networks are powerful! Some very influential people volunteer their time. You never know if you are serving next to someone who may be your next employer because they saw what a dedicated and thoughtful person you are. Take time to give back.
Work Experience
While we encourage you to add new experiences to your resume it just may not be the right time to take on a new research opportunity, a big internship or a volunteer commitment. That doesn’t mean you can’t get more out of your current employer. All the same advice applies because the biggest part of ‘making the most of your summer’ is creating relationships with people who already have work and life experience — those who are willing to share with you, teach you and connect you with more opportunities. Say you work in a restaurant: if that’s not where you see your future, think about the patrons or vendors — network with them. I know, networking can seem very intimidating, but it is rather simple. Make small talk. Get to know those around you — peers, employees, leaders. Ask them questions about themselves, the work they do, and what they most enjoy about it. If you leave a good impression you could have a reference or connection down the road. You never know where just one connection will take you.
The CCPD is here to help
The final take away of making your summer count is independence. Whether you are living at home for summer, staying on campus or living in a completely different location, you should be budgeting your expenses, managing transportation, and gaining confidence as you start your career path.
Let the CCPD know if you already have an internship for summer 2026 or if you get one, then tell us how it went when you come back! This allows us to work with those businesses to find more opportunities for other Allegheny students. You could be someone else’s connection!
The CCPD is located in Pelletier Library. Students and alumni have resources available to them all year. Summer opportunities are shared through GatorHub, on the CCPD bulletin board in the Henderson Campus Center, on the digital display in the Pelletier Library and in Handshake. Come see us! We are here to help you succeed!