9. Take in as much as you can and apply it to your life. | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

11 Smart Ways To Make Your Unpaid Summer Internship Worth It

Don't turn down amazing opportunities just because they're unpaid.

430
11 Smart Ways To Make Your Unpaid Summer Internship Worth It

Unpaid internships are often frowned upon because you lose the opportunity to maximize your summer income. However, this often leads to students giving up extraordinary opportunities and resume builders to wait tables or do something else unrelated to their studies.

Here are 11 ways to accept that fantastic internship while still making money and being productive this summer:

1. Get a part-time job.

If your internship is flexible enough, you can have a part-time job on top of your internship for extra cash. If you intern in the morning, wait tables in the evening. If you intern at night, nanny or work at a cafe during the day. Use the extra time in your day to your advantage.

2. Limit unnecessary purchases. 

Do you really need that Venti Starbucks iced latte? Save money when you can because those seemingly small purchases definitely add up and avoiding them will help your bank account and your stress levels.

3. Manage your time wisely. 

Use the time that you're not interning to research ways you can make some extra money or ask around for additional opportunities. On top of this, use free time to be productive about your responsibilities (school, finances, socially, etc).

4. Drive around town...

Ever thought about signing up to be an Uber or Lyft driver? It might seem weird at first, but after you're done working for the day or on Friday and Saturday nights, drive people around and get paid for it! This could definitely be a good use of your time instead of sitting on your phone or watching Netflix.

5. Sell things that you don't need anymore! 

Use sites and apps like Poshmark, eBay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and more to sell things you no longer use or need!

6. Use the unpaid internship to your future advantage.

Network and make those connections last! You never know when you might need a reference or boost in the future. Relationships made during unpaid internships can pay off in the future and make it all worth it. Remember that!

7. Sell your skills!

Are you good at something online, like website building or blogging? Are you educated in fitness? Look for an individual or company that can use your skills and offer to help them out for compensation.

8. Research scholarships, grants, and aid. 

If you have trouble finding time to make money during an unpaid internship, or if it's full time, research ways you can save money down the road. For example, research and apply for academic scholarships from your school or from a third party. Although it won't feel like making money or immediate savings, you'll thank yourself later on.

9. Take in as much as you can and apply it to your life.

Even though you aren't getting paid for your work, you'll still be learning so much from experts, and it's important that you pay attention and absorb all that you're learning. You'll find that your new sense of the field will help you get even better internships and jobs down the line.

10. Set goals!

Set realistic goals throughout your time interning-- both financial and internship specific goals. This will help you work towards something instead of thinking about how your work is unpaid.

11. Don't slack.

Make the most of the time you spend interning and make extra cash when you're able to. Don't spend your time stressing about money when you're supposed to be giving your all to your internship. Instead, try your best while you're there and learn from those around you. Look at it as a rewarding experience and not a waste of time.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Lifestyle

The Great Christmas Movie Debate

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

612
The Great Christmas Movie Debate
Mental Floss

One staple of the Christmas season is sitting around the television watching a Christmas movie with family and friends. But of the seemingly hundreds of movies, which one is the star on the tree? Some share stories of Santa to children ("Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"), others want to spread the Christmas joy to adults ("It's a Wonderful Life"), and a select few are made to get laughs ("Elf"). All good movies, but merely ornaments on the Christmas tree of the best movies. What tops the tree is a movie that bridges the gap between these three movies, and makes it a great watch for anyone who chooses to watch it. Enter the timeless Christmas classic, "A Christmas Story." Created in 1983, this movie holds the tradition of capturing both young and old eyes for 24 straight hours on its Christmas Day marathon. It gets the most coverage out of all holiday movies, but the sheer amount of times it's on television does not make it the greatest. Why is it,
then? A Christmas Story does not try to tell the tale of a Christmas miracle or use Christmas magic to move the story. What it does do though is tell the real story of Christmas. It is relatable and brings out the unmatched excitement of children on Christmas in everyone who watches. Every one becomes a child again when they watch "A Christmas Story."

Keep Reading...Show less
student thinking about finals in library
StableDiffusion

As this semester wraps up, students can’t help but be stressed about finals. After all, our GPAs depends on these grades! What student isn’t worrying about their finals right now? It’s “goodbye social life, hello library” time from now until the end of finals week.

1. Finals are weeks away, I’m sure I’ll be ready for them when they come.

Keep Reading...Show less
Christmas tree
Librarian Lavender

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is one of my personal favorite holidays because of the Christmas traditions my family upholds generation after generation. After talking to a few of my friends at college, I realized that a lot of them don't really have "Christmas traditions" in their family, and I want to help change that. Here's a list of Christmas traditions that my family does, and anyone can incorporate into their family as well!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Phases Of Finals

May the odds be ever in your favor.

2001
Does anybody know how to study
Gurl.com

It’s here; that time of year when college students turn into preschoolers again. We cry for our mothers, eat everything in sight, and whine when we don’t get our way. It’s finals, the dreaded time of the semester when we all realize we should have been paying attention in class instead of literally doing anything else but that. Everyone has to take them, and yes, unfortunately, they are inevitable. But just because they are here and inevitable does not mean they’re peaches and cream and full of rainbows. Surviving them is a must, and the following five phases are a reality for all majors from business to art, nursing to history.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

3255
How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again when college students live at the library all week, cramming for tests that they should have started studying for last month. Preparing to spend all day at the library takes much consideration and planning. Use these tips to help get you through the week while spending an excessive amount of time in a building that no one wants to be in.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments