37 AGCAREERS FOOD & AGRICULTURE CAREER GUIDE It’s one month until summer, and instead of celebrating a new internship, you’re stuck scrolling LinkedIn, feeling frustrated as others announce their internships. You wonder, “I did everything right, didn’t I?”- yet here you are, faced with rejections, missed deadlines, and no internship. It’s upsetting, but it’s not the end of the world. There are still many ways to make your summer a meaningful experience. Here are five alternative options: SEEK ALTERNATIVE EXPERIENCES SUCH AS VOLUNTEERING OR JOB SHADOWING Internships and co-ops aren’t the only way to gain experience to add to your resume. Consider job shadowing - reach out on LinkedIn to professionals in your field of interest or alums of your school and ask to observe their work for a day (or maybe more!). If you are interested in a career in food safety, consider reaching out to a food safety consultant to see if they need assistance with paperwork. If you are interested in production agriculture, consider volunteering at a local farm. Additionally, traditional volunteering opportunities, such as helping the logistics team at a food bank, can enhance your understanding of the food system while also strengthening your resume. FIND PART-TIME WORK Although it may not be direct experience in your role, you should consider doing summer work. Many places, such as farms, water parks, restaurants, and movie theaters, hire seasonal staff. Part-time work outside your study area can help you develop valuable skills such as teamwork, time management, and communication. Not only will these experiences enhance your resume, but they will also expose you to diverse individuals and perspectives, helping you become a more wellrounded person. Additionally, these skills will look impressive on your resume! CREATE YOUR OWN OPPORTUNITY If you couldn’t find an internship, why not create your own summer project? Consider starting a blog, podcast, or social media page centered around your interests. These ideas keep you engaged and provide something you could add to your resume for future employers. For instance, if you’re interested in product development, you could start an Instagram account where you document your kitchen food science experiments. Many municipalities offer support for young entrepreneurs, which could provide a valuable financial boost to help with your tuition. INVEST IN NETWORKING, LEARNING AND SKILL-BUILDING Treat the summer as your own selfdirected studies semester to learn whatever you want! Invest in yourself and take control of your learning. Dive into industries that interest you, map out skills you want to develop and explore potential career paths on your own terms. Get ahead by taking summer classes at your school. For many, summer is a quieter season, making it an ideal moment to contact professionals for informational interviews. Teach yourself a new skill you have always wanted to learn but didn’t quite get the time to do so with the busyness of your semester. TAKE A BREAK If none of the options above appeal to you, consider taking the opportunity to rest. While summer is a great time to explore and gain career experience, sometimes the universe is signaling that you need a break. After all, there won’t be as many opportunities in the future to rest without the burden of obligations. You could use this time to travel around the world, or if that’s not feasible, simply take a walk around your neighbourhood and discover a new favourite coffee shop. If you’re not one to idle, use this time to improve your resume and interview skills with advice from the AgCareers Career Success Library and FoodGrads Blog. MISSED OUT ON AN INTERNSHIP? HERE’S YOUR NEXT MOVE 1 2 3 4 5 PHOTO: jacquesdurocher / iStock / Getty Images Plus BY VERONICA HISLOP, CONTENT CREATOR AND HOST OF THAT’S A FOOD JOB! PODCAST, FOODGRADS
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