Summer Possibilities Abound
Many students will be talking with advisors, professors and peers throughout the semester about how to get the most out of their summer break. Some will choose to take classes, while others will choose to get academic credit through an internship or to volunteer through a specific organization. If your student is interested in spending his summer in an academic-related internship, job or volunteer position, there are plenty of resources available to make this happen!

The process for deciding what to do can be overwhelming for students. Sometimes, they end up so overwhelmed with the possibilities that they procrastinate. Oftentimes, this results in missed deadlines and opportunities. Encourage your student to start the decision process early.

The first stop your student can make is in the campus career development office. Typically, the office will have access to internship listings in every academic field. The staff can also offer students guidance on what types of experiences will help them gain the best professional experience and where to go to get more information.

If your student is interested in doing some research on his own, the Internet is invaluable! Here are some websites your student can use to begin gathering ideas and contacts:

Idealist.org: Action without Borders
www.idealist.org
Idealist.org features jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities in 165 countries, primarily in the non-profit sector. In addition to offering internship and job listings, Idealist features information and advice for careers in the non-profit sector.

Intern Web
www.internweb.com
Intern Web is a free service that lists internships in a variety of fields and for college students at all levels.

GreenBiz: Environmental Jobs
www.greenbiz.com
This website offers a database of jobs and internships in the environmental field for all levels of professional and educational experience.

Hill Zoo
www.hillzoo.com
This website lists a variety of internships and jobs available on Capitol Hill and around Washington, D.C., as well as resources for finding housing or part-time jobs. Students who want to work in Congress should contact their Senator or Representative directly, as most of them have internship programs.

Students should also consider opportunities that may be available on campus during the summer too. Talking with their resident assistant or academic advisor would be a good place to start.