As the summer break approaches, work may be the last thing on your freshman’s mind.

College bills likely keep summer wages more “top of mind” for you.

When it comes to summer work or experiences, your top priority is mainly financial. (“How will my child be able to afford the following school year?”)

But the summer break has the potential to benefit your freshman in more ways than financial gain of any kind.

It has the potential to help them develop adult skills that will equip them in their future career. 

Below are three ways in which a college freshman can beneficially invest in themselves:

1. Shadowing

2. Volunteering

3. Career-related summer jobs (& experiences)

Part 1 is published here. Part two is published here. And this is the final installment, so keep reading!

Why is it important for your freshman to pursue college-related experiences during the summer break?

I was a student who needed summer work (and then some) to pay for college. 

While I learned many valuable skills when working jobs that ranged from custodial work to healthcare, I often found myself “behind” my peers once returning to college.

Many of my peers worked throughout the summer, but they were more strategic and intentional about pursuing experiences that furthered their skills related to their major.

Though I’m thankful I was able to find work that paid for my education, I look back with regret. I didn’t make smart choices that would’ve progressed me in my field of study.

Your freshman isn’t me. 

They might not feel pressure to pursue summer experiences that “pay the bills,” but they might not realize how important this time off from school can be.

So why is pursuing career-related experiences during summer break so important?

• It helps give hands-on experience. While shadowing and volunteering can give your freshman a “peek behind the curtain” of their field of study, both provide a limited view. Working side-by-side professionals on a daily basis throughout an extended period of time can help to reduce unrealistic expectations and increase practical know-how. 

• It builds your freshman’s network. As mentioned in the parts one and two of this series, your freshman needs to start developing their network. The wider their network, the easier it will be to procure internships and work after college. This can only work in your freshman’s favor.

• It applies college material to real life. When your freshman gets experience in their field of study, they see behind the theory and the academia to the real life realities. This can only work to enrich what they learn in the classroom.

What if you can’t afford for your freshman to be jobless this summer?

This valid objection should not be left unaddressed.

While “summer related experiences” may cause mental dollar signs to appear in your thoughts, summer experiences can be paid experiences that can help your freshman make tuition payments.

Here are a few possible jobs for which freshmen could be a good fit:

• Clerical office work: While your freshman may not have the skills or experience for an internship or entry-level job at this point, they may be able to find opportunities in which they could do basic office work for a company in their field of study (e.g. local accounting firm, hospital system, etc.)

• Customer service work: Many of these positions include making phone calls and reading off a script. Your freshman has the ability to perform well in this role and pick up valuable knowledge to their field of study.

• Freelance work: While your freshman might not be able to find full-time summer work, many companies use freelance workers for copywriting, editing, etc. Your freshman may be able to amass enough contract work to earn a similar amount as if they worked full-time.

How can you help your freshman find career-related work and experiences?

Similar to the advice given on shadowing and volunteering, taking over the job-finding process probably may prevent your freshman from developing needed skills.

Instead, try pointing your freshman in the right direction with some of these actions:

• Help them get started. Sometimes the hardest part is knowing where to start. Giving them ideas of where they should start looking can help give them a first step from which they can climb upward. For example, encourage them to identify local organizations that provide goods or services related to their field of study.

• Help connect them with the right people. While you may not personally know someone in their field of study, you can help to point them in the right direction. Asking them who they know in their field of study, if their school has an alumni network of which they can take advantage, or where they can find email addresses (or contact information) of professionals in local organizations are good ways to connect with the right people.

• Take notice of their persistence and hard work to secure a position. Finding summer work can be daunting. Finding summer work or experiences in their field of study can be daunting and difficult. Giving specific compliments that take notice of their character qualities can help to give your child the encouragement they need to keep persisting.

Summer work and experiences might not be “top of mind” to your freshman as they simply try to balance classes, their social life, and maybe a part-time job. 

But the value of obtaining these career-related jobs and experiences can make a big difference in your freshman’s future as a person and as a professional.