Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 10:40     Subject: If your college sophomore (rising junior) did not have a suminternship, what did they do for the summer before Jr. year?
My kid is a college junior and a summer internship is not in the works as of now. But he definitely will have a summer job.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 10:10     Subject: If your college sophomore (rising junior) did not have a suminternship, what did they do for the summer before Jr. year?
Mine worked waiting tables at a small non chain place last summer, (business major) and is probably going to work a different retail this year. I’m praying that they hustle a little bit early this semester and possibly find an internship, but it’s not likely.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 10:00     Subject: If your college sophomore (rising junior) did not have a suminternship, what did they do for the summer before Jr. year?
Anonymous wrote:My kid is a current junior.
Last summer, his activities included:
-lifeguarding
-summer swim team
-studying for the SAT
-completing AP summer homework
-traveling to visit family
-practicing driving
-band camp
-some volunteer work


OP specified a college junior. Yours sounds like HS.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 09:49     Subject: If your college sophomore (rising junior) did not have a suminternship, what did they do for the summer before Jr. year?
They worked. And they likely will not have a summer internship for their junior year summer either.

Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 09:47     Subject: If your college sophomore (rising junior) did not have a suminternship, what did they do for the summer before Jr. year?
Depends on major. It can be completely normal. If tech related, then personal projects, unpaid major-related opportunities locally.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 09:42     Subject: If your college sophomore (rising junior) did not have a suminternship, what did they do for the summer before Jr. year?
Mine worked retail, clothing store at the mall. Jumped in at the start of junior fall to really focus on internship search and ended up with a great job for the next summer.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 08:29     Subject: If your college sophomore (rising junior) did not have a suminternship, what did they do for the summer before Jr. year?
Anonymous wrote:Ugh. My DC is having no luck landing an internship. He is going to keep at it for sure and is doing networking, career services, sending out apps. etc. Has had a few interviews but hasn't landed anything. If your DC did not have an internship after sophomore year, what did they do? Just retail/restaurant? I think he is screwed without an internship this summer b/c how will he get one next year when it is even more important to have experience?



She has an internship during the school year, so is planning to do a summer session abroad and work a part-time job when she's home.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 08:08     Subject: If your college sophomore (rising junior) did not have a suminternship, what did they do for the summer before Jr. year?
Anonymous wrote:OP - Most internships want rising seniors, not juniors. Your son is fine. He can work retail, lifeguard, study abroad, etc.

DCUMs catastrophize the lack of an internship, but the reality is that most students do not get internships and they are much much harder to come by these days.


I also think that employers want both things. They want kids to have an internship, which can be during the school year, or after junior year. But they also really want to see real work experience. He can use this time for either of those things.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 07:58     Subject: If your college sophomore (rising junior) did not have a suminternship, what did they do for the summer before Jr. year?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My kid is a current junior.
Last summer, his activities included:
-lifeguarding
-summer swim team
-studying for the SAT
-completing AP summer homework
-traveling to visit family
-practicing driving
-band camp
-some volunteer work



OP’s kid is a college sophomore. They won’t be driving for the SAT.


Ack, sorry. I misread the OP.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 07:56     Subject: If your college sophomore (rising junior) did not have a suminternship, what did they do for the summer before Jr. year?
OP - Most internships want rising seniors, not juniors. Your son is fine. He can work retail, lifeguard, study abroad, etc.

DCUMs catastrophize the lack of an internship, but the reality is that most students do not get internships and they are much much harder to come by these days.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 07:53     Subject: If your college sophomore (rising junior) did not have a suminternship, what did they do for the summer before Jr. year?
Anonymous wrote:My kid is a current junior.
Last summer, his activities included:
-lifeguarding
-summer swim team
-studying for the SAT
-completing AP summer homework
-traveling to visit family
-practicing driving
-band camp
-some volunteer work



College, not high school
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 07:51     Subject: If your college sophomore (rising junior) did not have a suminternship, what did they do for the summer before Jr. year?
Anonymous wrote:My kid is a current junior.
Last summer, his activities included:
-lifeguarding
-summer swim team
-studying for the SAT
-completing AP summer homework
-traveling to visit family
-practicing driving
-band camp
-some volunteer work



OP’s kid is a college sophomore. They won’t be driving for the SAT.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 07:50     Subject: If your college sophomore (rising junior) did not have a suminternship, what did they do for the summer before Jr. year?
What is he majoring in?

I think retail/restaurant/summer camp job is fine, but might have more specific recommendations depending on major.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 07:49     Subject: If your college sophomore (rising junior) did not have a suminternship, what did they do for the summer before Jr. year?
My kid is a current junior.
Last summer, his activities included:
-lifeguarding
-summer swim team
-studying for the SAT
-completing AP summer homework
-traveling to visit family
-practicing driving
-band camp
-some volunteer work

Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 07:45     Subject: If your college sophomore (rising junior) did not have a suminternship, what did they do for the summer before Jr. year?
Ugh. My DC is having no luck landing an internship. He is going to keep at it for sure and is doing networking, career services, sending out apps. etc. Has had a few interviews but hasn't landed anything. If your DC did not have an internship after sophomore year, what did they do? Just retail/restaurant? I think he is screwed without an internship this summer b/c how will he get one next year when it is even more important to have experience?