Summer Work Opportunities for Graduate Students
Graduate school presents a unique set of challenges, including a demanding workload that can make finding even part-time or summer employment stressful. However, summer work can be a valuable opportunity for graduate students to gain professional experience, develop new skills, and supplement their income. This article explores the various summer work opportunities available to graduate students, providing guidance on how to identify, pursue, and secure these positions.
Understanding the Landscape of Opportunities
Before embarking on a job search, it's crucial to understand the different types of opportunities available. Generally, these fall into two main categories: internships and jobs.
Internships: Skill Development as a Priority
Internships are positions specifically designed to provide professional development and grow your skillset within a limited timeframe, typically around three months, aligning with the summer season. While interns contribute valuable labor and services to their employers, the primary goal of an internship is to enhance their skills in a practical setting.
However, the definition of "professional development" can vary significantly across organizations. Some internships focus on providing in-depth exposure to a specific, field-relevant task. For instance, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has previously hired archival interns for twelve-week terms to assist in processing materials, offering them valuable experience in how institutions locate, acquire, and intake material.
Other internships may offer a broader range of experiences, such as those offered by the South Dakota State Museum Studies program. These internships may provide resources for travel and networking within a scholarly field, introducing interns to various roles over a few months. Interns might spend their time completing diverse tasks, such as manning a library reference desk, engaging in community outreach, or developing educational programming.
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Ultimately, neither type of internship is inherently superior. The best choice depends on an individual's specific skillset and goals.
Jobs: More Defined Roles and Responsibilities
Compared to internships, jobs tend to be more straightforward. Job listings typically outline the specific duties associated with the open position. Furthermore, while internships are designed to be temporary, jobs exist for undefined periods. This can pose a challenge for graduate students, as some employers may be hesitant to invest in workers with a predetermined end date or a likely reduction in hours.
Job applications generally open later than internship applications, as they are more closely tied to an employer's immediate needs. However, this can vary depending on the field. For example, 2024 summer seasonal positions for the National Park Service opened in October of 2023. Additionally, some positions, such as post-secondary instructional roles, may operate on a rolling basis and have more informal application processes.
Strategies for a Successful Job Search
Once you understand the types of employment you are seeking, you need to know what job or internship title you should be searching for, where to look for it, and how often you should be looking. The three keys to a successful job search are knowing what you are looking for, being flexible, and using your network.
Identifying Your Priorities
The first step in a successful job search is self-reflection. Before you start your quest for employment, you will need to know the different opportunities available to you. Since humanities and arts jobs are competitive, you may have to take roles with trade-offs or embrace new and unexpected experiences. To do this effectively, it is important to reflect on what you are looking for in your work, and what your dealbreakers are.
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Consider factors such as location, income, and skill development. Are you limited by location to a specific city, or do you have the money, family, and/or friends that would let you explore other markets, especially during the summer? Is securing extra income to cover bills your main motivator to find employment, or are you prioritizing work in a specific area you think would improve your resume post-grad school? Is the position remote, hybrid, or in person?
Having your employment priorities in order allows you to set your expectations, figure out what you are comfortable with, and apply for positions accordingly. If you are heavily restricted by location, you may limit the geographic scope of your search, even if an interesting role across the country opens up. If specific skill development is all you care about, then you can throw location to the wind and apply more broadly.
Finding Opportunities
There is no one single repository for history related jobs, but there are resources that offer some information. All federal openings (including at the National Park Service, the largest employer of historians in the country) must be posted on USAJobs. The National Council on Public History has a regularly updated job board, as does the American Association for State and Local History. It is important to look early and often for employment opportunities.
Mid-fall and mid-spring see the most openings posted, but new opportunities are posted at irregular times throughout the year. Keep in mind: you will often be competing with professionals in the field who do the work full-time. Do not let this discourage you. They need someone for the job, and if you think your skills fit the bill, then apply!
Networking
The final piece of a successful job hunt is creating and leveraging a professional network. A fleshed-out network can help you navigate the varied and complicated world of job applications and resume writing across fields. Professors in your department are a great place to start; most senior faculty will have well-developed relationships both in and out of academia that they may be happy to share with you. These types of connections may lead directly to a research assistant or adjunct position, or make you indirectly aware of a job posting in the field. Beyond your department, the American Historical Association Career Contacts program is a great way to create new connections with people throughout the historical world in a more structured format.
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Specific Opportunities to Consider
Beyond general internships and jobs, several specific programs and opportunities cater to graduate students seeking summer employment.
Federal Government Opportunities
The U.S. Department of State's Pathways Internship Program includes both the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP) and the Internship Experience Program (IEP). These programs are open to U.S. citizens enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate school and professional academic levels. Internships are available at U.S. embassies and consulates throughout the world, as well as in various bureaus located in Washington, D.C. and at Department offices around the United States.
The Colin Powell Leadership Program recruits highly motivated individuals from a variety of backgrounds who aspire to and possess the potential to become future civil service leaders in the Department. The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program, the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship, and the William D. Clarke, Sr. Diplomatic Security Fellowship are also worth exploring. The MBA Special Advisor Fellowship seeks to strengthen the Department's strategic management and operations capabilities through leading-edge solutions and academia.
Virtual internships through programs connecting U.S. citizen college students with the needs of federal agencies also exist. These internships involve a time commitment of about 10 hours per week during the school year and offer opportunities in fields ranging from data visualization to political analysis. Internships are paid but may be eligible for course credit.
With the U.S. Department of State, there's no limit as to how far our opportunities can take you. You'll work with architects, IT professionals, policy experts, and engineers who have various educational and cultural backgrounds, global perspectives, depth of knowledge, and technical skills, along with exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities. For those interested in the paid internship program, begin by finding out which office is right for you.
Apple Opportunities
Quincy's story exemplifies the potential for growth within a company like Apple. He started as an Apple Support College Advisor while a sophomore at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, assisting Apple customers with their product questions. Through training, mentorship, and hands-on experience, he developed valuable professional skills, including teamwork, collaboration, and empathetic communication. This initial role laid the foundation for his career, and he now helps oversee major systems at Apple.
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