Written by: April Gammal

Question: Spring Break is rapidly approaching, and I’m trying to figure out what to do. Any ideas?

The first thing that comes to mind when many of us think of Spring Break is… PARTY!!! Florida is a popular destination for legions of college students during Spring Break. It is usually a welcomed break from the frigid New England weather, although the weather in Florida this winter has sometimes been as cold as here (did someone say global warming?). So maybe it’s time to try something different.

You could spend the time trying to line up a summer internship or full-time job. The U.S. is just beginning to come out of the worst economic calamity since the Great Depression. Millions of people have lost their jobs and employers aren’t in a hurry to take people on.

Remember the game musical chairs? For every ten college students there are about five chairs, and when the music stops, a lot of people are still going to be standing.

What you end up doing during your summer is very important. Employers want to see that you are being productive during your summers and gaining valuable experiences.

Do not panic if you cannot find an internship with a company. Any experience you can get doing any sort of work is better than spending your days on the beach looking for summer love.

If you are having no luck applying for positions online or through BentleyLink, then you may want to try a new approach. Here is the key: it’s all about the connections. Talk to your friends, parents, teachers, and Bentley staff members. You never know who they may know, and more importantly, if they can get you in contact with someone at a company where you may want to work. Before you know it, someone makes one call, sends one e-mail and bam! You’ve landed yourself a nice summer job.

And when you get that job offer in writing… PARTY!!! If you decide to go away somewhere to celebrate, make sure to send a postcard to your friends who tried to enjoy the chilly weather down south during Spring Break – and be sure to wish them good luck in their ongoing job search.