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Sustainability
A common question we see this time in the semester is, “I don’t have an internship lined up for this summer. What should I do?” We know the internship application process can be very tiring and may not always lead to an offer, so here are 7 alternative ways to spend your time this summer.
1. Rest
Are you finding yourself close to burnout as summer approaches? If so, the most important thing for you to do is prioritize your mental health and rest. For you, rest might mean travel, or video games, or setting up a time to talk with UVA CAPS. Even if you don’t want to take the whole summer to rest, think about how to incorporate rest into your summer plans.
2. Keep searching
We find that sustainability internships can still open up well into the summer, including shorter-term positions that may start in June or July. Set yourself a deadline by which you want to stop applying, or set up an appointment with the Career Center to talk about application strategies.
3. Consider micro-internships
UVA students have access to a site called Parker Dewey which features short-term, paid professional projects year-round. Current openings span industries including marketing, computer science, sales, and more. Start dates vary for these roles, so check throughout the summer to see if anything aligns with your interests.
4. Develop your skills
If you are looking for ways to increase your skills in a particular industry or job function, LinkedIn Learning and Coursera offer access to thousands of courses to do just that. Learn specific skills like ArcGIS, web marketing analytics, data visualization, UX design, and more - all of which can go on your resume! Or take sustainability-focused courses on sustainable finance, climate change, renewable energy, sustainable fashion, and more. For more project-based options, Forage offers free 5-6 hour virtual work experience programs created by top companies. Work through virtual job simulations including Oliver Wyman’s Financial Services: Climate Change, BCG’s Climate & Sustainability, Tata Group’s ESG, and more.
5. Volunteer
Volunteer opportunities can provide a strong basis for your future application while allowing you to contribute to causes you care about. Check out the Center for Nonprofit Excellence and Monticello Avenue to find organizations in Charlottesville and the broader Albemarle County, or check where you’ll be this summer for organizations that could use an extra hand. You can also use Idealist's volunteer page to find opportunities.
6. Research
UVA saw over $532 million in sponsored research awards in 2023 across 5 strategic research themes, one of which is environmental resilience & sustainability. All of this to say: there are a ton of great research projects happening at UVA that you could be a part of. Check out one of the Office of Citizen Scholar Development’s undergraduate research events, or go check out the Undergraduate Research Symposium to get inspiration from other students’ projects. You can also check your department for research opportunities, such as the Environmental Sciences Department Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program.
7. Build your network
Networking is a term you may hear thrown around a lot, and I know it can sound intimidating at first. If it helps, think of networking as relationship-building within our areas of interest. Through that perspective, just by taking classes you’re interested in, you’ve already been able to network with classmates and professors. To form new networking relationships, check out some tips on our website. Starting with reaching out to UVA alumni can help it feel less daunting! Connect with our alumni network on Virginia Alumni Networking or search through the list of alumni on LinkedIn.
As you can see, internships are not your only option for this summer. There are even more options than listed here, like part-time jobs, studying abroad, spending time with family, working on personal passion projects, and so much more. If you want to chat through what feels like the best plan for you, come talk with us at the Career Center.