No internship? No problem! While internships are a fantastic way to get real-world career experience and make lasting connections with professionals in the industry, it’s not the only way to acquire the skills and experience necessary for a future job or internship. There are plenty of other fun, productive ways to build your professional skills this semester, including:

Join a Club

Find a club you are interested in and become a general member, or better yet, run for an appointed position. This will give you valuable leadership experience and allow you to develop some important skills necessary for any job like event planning, time management, communication and more. Plus, it will give you the opportunity to meet and connect with so many people both on and off campus, including administrators, professors, students, vendors and other professionals.

Become a Campus Ambassador

Find out if a brand you love offers a campus ambassador program and apply to join. Many companies employ campus ambassadors to share the brand’s mission with their campus community, and the gig often comes with cool perks like free swag. Even cooler is the experience you’ll gain as you develop your marketing and networking skills throughout the program. For instance, FindSpark offers a Campus Ambassador program that helps participants reach their full professional potential. Our ambassadors bring FindSpark resources to their campus and build their network through an on-campus event and in return receive mentorship, training and support from our team, plus free access to FindSpark workshops.

Volunteer

Is there a cause you are particularly passionate about? Volunteer your time and help make a difference in the lives of others. Not only will it help to enhance your social skills, but you’ll have the chance to interact with your community and boost your network, all while doing something that makes you feel good.

Side Hustle

Become the ultimate hustler and be your own boss by starting a side project. Whether it’s starting your own business (our very own CEO Emily Miethner side hustles as a food truck owner!), creating your own blog or planning an event on or off campus, adopting a side hustle shows initiative. Plus, you’ll get plenty of real-world experience that will set you apart from your peers.

Go to Networking Events

Expand your social network and develop your professional skills on your own terms by attending networking events in your area. Start with events at school and then expand your horizons by attending an event in a nearby city.

Which one are you going to try this semester? Let us know in the comments.