Summer Opportunities at Oberlin

Now that summer is fully upon us I thought that it would be a good idea to write a blog about summer opportunities at Oberlin. This includes everything from opportunities quite literally on Oberlin’s campus, to Oberlin resources you can use to help you find your own opportunities. I’ll go over internships, research, and some advice. As I’ve highlighted in previous blogs, Oberlin has a plethora of resources available and I’m determined to make every student aware of them whether you are an incoming freshman or a prospective student!

Internship+ Program. Here at Oberlin our Career Exploration and Development Office offers the Internship+ Program. Essentially, this program allows third year students to receive up to five thousand dollars that can be used towards experiences that have minimal to no pay. While this money can be used at any point during the year, many of my friends have chosen to put the money towards summer programs such as unpaid internships, research, or even study abroad programs. Having this sort of funding available is really useful because it enables students to feel that they are able to pursue their dream opportunities without funding being an issue. Found an internship you love but it has no compensation? Use Internship+!

Utilize Career Communities. This tip is similar to the last one because it is also an offering of our Career Exploration and Development Office. Within this office there are various ‘Career Communities’ based on specific career interests you might have. These groups often have designated staff members who can help you find summer internships related to this career. They are also great people to ask if you are deciding between two summer opportunities, and want to discuss which one might benefit you the most. The other great thing about Career Communities is that there are typically lists of internships or volunteer opportunities curated through a network of professional staff members, students, and alumni. 

Research at Oberlin. Every summer Oberlin offers the Oberlin Summer Research Institute. This is an 8 week residential summer program during which students participate in faculty sponsored research. You will also receive a stipend and free housing! This is a great opportunity for students interested in research, forming close connections with peers and faculty, and getting to spend a bit of extra time at the best town in Ohio. 

Connect With Alumni. Oberlin has a great program called OberLink that allows you to connect with alumni by finding mentors, internships, or simply gaining career advice. This is a great time to practice the art of sending cold emails since alumni are always eager to offer any assistance they are able to. While sometimes alumni aren’t able to offer internships or volunteer opportunities, I’ve always been pointed in the right direction of someone who can offer me an opportunity or even specific programs that they know of. 

Well those are the tips that I have for you today! I hope that they help you realize how many opportunities there are available to help you maximize your summers. Whether you want to learn a new language, research on campus, or create your own opportunities with the help of our career offices, there are so many resources that can allow you to plan an amazing summer.