Top 10 Ways to Advance Your Career -- Without Doing an Internship

Your internship plans didn’t exactly work out, and instead of doing a three-month unpaid gig at your dream company, you’re wondering if you’ll ever get a “real job.” Don’t stress! There are ways to propel your career plans -- without a summer internship.

Research

Stay on top of news that’s happening in your industry. It never hurts to be well-versed in the current events of your field, and you’ll know what you’re talking about if you come across someone in that line of work. (Note to self: Impressing professionals equals job potential down the line!)

Interview

Find professionals in your field and ask if you can set a time to pick their brains about what they do and how they got there. You’ll learn more about the job, and if you impress them, they might even give you a call next time they’re hiring.

Tweet

Set up a professional Twitter account and follow your favorite companies, industry execs and job-search experts, then get involved in conversations with them. You’ll learn more about your future career and might even get some tips to better position yourself as a job seeker.

Blog

Start up a professional blog and write about the most important issues happening in your industry. You can add the link to your resume to let employers know you’re serious about your field and to get a leg up on your competition.

Network

Next time you’re at a barbecue with your parents, chat with their friends about your career aspirations. You never know who might have the connection that could catapult you into your next internship or job.

Photo: @iStockphoto.com/RonTech2000

Shop

Save up some money from your summer job and purchase a professional-looking interview outfit. If you’re an accounting major, this may be a suit; for an aspiring graphic designer, perhaps something more creative will do. Either way, a put-together look could be just what you need to make a lasting impression at your next interview.

.Volunteer

So the internship didn’t work out, but maybe the company has volunteer opportunities. Or find out if a smaller business in your hometown needs any help. If nothing is available in the industry you want to work in, volunteer at a nonprofit. (Prospective employers love to hire do-gooders.)

Reapply

Start searching and applying for fall internships now. Since most students have a packed class schedule come first semester, fall internships are usually less competitive and easier to attain.

Update Your Resume

Rework each job description to make it as specific as possible. You’re much more likely to get hired if you “helped increase productivity by 40 percent” than if you “waited tables.”

Rehearse

Practice interviewing. Write down a list of questions you might get asked during interviews and come up with the perfect answer to each. Improving your interview skills might be what you need to score that internship next time.