Not where if you should go abroad? Need help with a (paid?!) summer internship? Chances are, you’ll need to look no further than your own College Career Guidance office.

Before you shell out several hundred (or thousand) bucks for that study abroad, Gap Year, or post-college consulting service–pay a quick visit to your Career Guidance office. Many of the advisors have been in the field for years, have the same (if not more) information than a fancy consulting service, and it’s included in your tuition.

1. Come prepared…or not.
College Career guidance offers are here to help you, and indecision and nerves are a big part of the searching process. You don’t have to come with it all figured out–that’s why the office is there!

2. Pick up pamphlets.

3. Do your research.
See what’s available to you. Talk to your friends, upperclassmen you know, or a professor. See a friend on Facebook from another college who went on a great abroad opportunity? Don’t be afraid to ask them how they got hooked up.

4. Apply, apply, apply.
Deadlines can approach faster than you think–so get writing!

5. Ask for help.

At Harvard, I am involved in Peer Health Exchange. As the semester came to an end, I found out they have access to an enormous pool of connected organizations that volunteers are made privy to. Getting involved in a fun extracurricular now can give you access to internships or jobs down the road.

Mention your extracurriculars to the advisor, or ask your supervisor if they know of any opportunities. Take advantage of your resources fully, whether it’s that graduate student you admire or your parents, ask them how they got there. It can help you decide what to do next. Immediately speaking, that might be to give the Career Guidance office a call, but that decision is up to you. You might still be scooping ice cream this summer, but it can come with a side of a paid morning internship.

Good luck!

 

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StudentUniverse. Smart deals for students.

StudentUniverse began in 2000 and is now one of the largest Student Deals website in the U.S. and provides outstanding deals to students all over the world! We want students to be able to travel and explore the world without breaking the bank. We also want to help students find great deals at their favorite stores as well as earn cash back on purchases at stores such as Forever 21, Target, Apple and so many more!

StudentUniverse also supplies students with great information when it comes to studying abroad or simply traveling around the world.  Our website offers travel guides that provide students with a wealth of information surrounding topics such as top countries around the world, things to know and do, as well as where to shop and dine!