Traditionally, summer has been a time for students to unwind from the stress of a long school year. Days at the pool, nights with friends and time spent with family have long been the focal points of the summer months. For many Miami students, however, summer has become a time for résumé-boosting and career preparation.
Today more and more students are utilizing the summer as a time to take additional classes, study abroad, hold internships, participate in research programs and earn some extra money.
Assistant Director and Career Adviser for College of Arts and Science Mary Beth Barnes said this is not out of the ordinary for Miami students.
"Miami students take initiative to find internships, research opportunities and community service not just all over the United States, but all over the world," she said. "For example, the student organization CRU is sending students on internships all over the world to work for non-profits."
Miami offers a multitude of programs abroad, but some students seek their own adventures. Lana Amer, a microbiology and bioengineering double major said she is planning to research in Egypt at either the University of Alexandria or the American University of Cairo.
"I'm hoping to go into the medical field and look at either cancer or HIV research," she said. "Cancer research is a major field in Egypt and I'm really looking forward to getting involved."
While some students like Amer choose to travel for such summer opportunities, others stay closer to home. First-year Gina Cerbie said she will be spending the summer doing research at Miami through the Undergraduate Summer Scholars (USS) program.
"I'm really excited to be able to work more on my research over the summer," she said. "Getting to stay here is a great opportunity and will really help me get ahead on my project."
For students who do not have any plans this summer, there is still time to get involved. One program still accepting students is the Second Annual Career L.E.A.P. hosted by the Office of Career Services. This is a three-day program designed to help students explore their strengths, develop a career portfolio and participate in mock interviews and several other career building opportunities.
"The program is a sort of career boot camp that will help students look at what they want to do and how to get there," Barnes said. "It builds up to the last day in which students take a day trip to Cincinnati to meet with alumni and potential employers."
Despite students' plans for the summer, the Office of Career Services is always ready to help students, and advisors are available for Skype appointments over the summer.
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Clearly, Miami students have a lot in store for this summer, so lazy days by the pool are just going to have to wait.
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