Alternatives to Traditional Internships: Research Assistantships, Volunteering Abroad, Summer Programs
By Saurabh Dhok on Updated:
Internships are often seen as the gold standard for gaining experience during high school and college. But what if you can’t find one, can’t afford an unpaid one, or simply want a different kind of experience? Don’t worry! There are many valuable alternatives to internships that allow you to develop skills, explore interests, and build your resume. Let’s look at options like research, volunteering, summer programs high school offers, and more.
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Internships Are Great, But Not the Only Way!
While internships provide direct workplace exposure, other experiences offer unique benefits and demonstrate qualities colleges and employers value, such as initiative, passion, research skills, or global awareness. Focusing solely on internships might mean missing out on other fantastic resume building experiences. Exploring non-traditional work experience can be equally valuable.
Alternative 1: Research Assistantships
Especially for students interested in STEM, social sciences, or academia:
- What it is: Assisting a professor or researcher with their projects. Tasks might include data collection, literature reviews, lab work, data entry, or analysis.
- Benefits: Gain deep knowledge in a specific field, develop research skills, build a close relationship with a professor (potential recommender!), potential for presentations or publications. A research assistantship undergraduate role is highly valued for grad school.
- How to Find: Check university department websites, talk directly to professors whose research interests you, look for postings on campus job boards.
Alternative 2: Meaningful Volunteer Work (Local or Abroad)
Volunteering shows commitment to causes you care about and builds skills.
- Local Volunteering: Consistent involvement with a local non-profit, hospital, school, or community center allows you to take on responsibility, work in teams, and make a tangible impact. Focus on roles where you can develop specific skills.
- Volunteer Abroad Opportunities: Programs allowing you to volunteer internationally offer immense personal growth, cross-cultural understanding, and unique experiences. Research carefully to find reputable programs with realistic goals and ensure safety and ethical practices. These can be costly.
Alternative 3: Academic Summer Programs
Many universities and organizations offer specialized summer programs high school and college students can attend.
- What they are: Intensive academic programs focused on specific subjects (e.g., engineering, writing, pre-med, coding, leadership). Can be residential or day programs.
- Benefits: Deep dive into a subject of interest, experience college-level coursework, meet like-minded peers, sometimes earn college credit. Shows initiative and passion for learning.
- Finding Them: Search online for “pre-college summer programs,” “summer academic camps,” or programs related to your specific interests. Check university websites.
Alternative 4: Personal Projects & Entrepreneurship
Demonstrate initiative and skills by creating something on your own.
- What it is: Starting a blog, coding an app, writing a novel, creating artwork, building a website, starting a small online business or service (tutoring, lawn care).
- Benefits: Shows passion, self-direction, creativity, problem-solving, and specific technical or business skills. You control the project entirely.
- How to Showcase: Document your process and results for your portfolio and resume.
💡Pro tip: Platforms like Cirkled In make it easy to organize and present your personal projects, volunteer work, and more in one professional profile.
Alternative 5: Part-Time Jobs with Skill Development
Don’t discount regular part-time jobs, especially if you frame the experience well.
- Focus on Skills: Even retail or food service jobs teach valuable skills like customer service, teamwork, responsibility, and time management.
- Seek Growth: Look for opportunities within the job to take on more responsibility or learn new things (e.g., training new hires, helping with inventory).
Making the Most of Any Experience
Regardless of the type of experience, focus on:
- Setting Goals: What do you want to learn or achieve?
- Being Reliable and Engaged: Show up, work hard, be proactive.
- Reflecting on Learning: What skills did you gain? What did you discover about yourself or potential careers?
- Documenting Your Contributions: Keep track of what you did.
Final Thought: Experience Comes in Many Forms
While internships are valuable, they aren’t the only path to gaining experience and building your resume. Meaningful alternatives to internships, such as research, volunteering, summer programs high school provides, personal projects, or even well-framed part-time jobs, offer diverse ways to learn, grow, and demonstrate your potential. Explore the options that best fit your interests, schedule, and goals.
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