4 Summer Internship Alternatives

Summer Internship Alternatives In The USA

What to do if the coronavirus cancels your summer internship? Here are 4 summer internship alternatives you can try

An internship is crucial to the complete college experience. However, with the COVID-19 outbreak, many people are finding it difficult to get internships.

One option is to wait until the lockdown ends and then start your internship. But, this isn’t you only option. Here are a few ways you can get the experience you want this summer in spite of the pandemic.

Check out COVID-19 Impact – What’s Ahead For International Students?

Summer Internship Alternatives For Students

1. Virtual Internships

Traditionally an intern must work on the office floor but with offices closed, you should start considering virtual internships. This allows interns to work from home and build on their skill sets.

Virtual internships can be structured to work on specific projects or bridge a gap. Virtual internships could be beneficial for you since they allow you to work with any brand irrespective of their geographical location.

2. Micro Internships

An internship typically lasts for about 6 months. In the current scenario, many brands may be unwilling to take on interns for a full internship. Instead, you should consider micro internships.

Micro internships can last for 6 to 8 weeks and can be done remotely. This is the ideal way to transition from college to career life. Some micro-internships are paid while others may be unpaid but they will count towards a direct credit or class requirement.

3. Be Flexible

While it is good to have a career plan, in times like this you must be flexible. In addition to the dream internship you were coveting, list out alternate positions you could apply for.

For example, if you wanted to work in a pharmaceutical firm, you could look at alternatives like the university lab. You could also look at positions that focus on research and scientific writing.

Expand your search to include startups and nonprofits as well. The idea is to keep all options on the table. You could look for open internships at:

4. Online Courses

If you can’t get an internship, you should look at other ways of building up your resume. There are a number of short online courses that can help refine your skills.

This could be a technical course in your area of specialization or a course that focuses on soft skills like problem-solving or verbal and written communication. Some of the websites that offer online courses are:

The bottom line is to stay positive and do your best to stay on track with your career path.