No Internship? No Problem. Build Your Experience This Summer

Hey there!

Summer internships usually recruit between January and March. Sometimes, even as early as November of the previous year for bigger companies like FAANG (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google)—but don’t stress if nothing clicked this time.

Many companies are still hiring right up to mid-May or early June, so keep applying! But even if you don’t land one, let’s explore some of your options to spend your summer growing your skills and portfolio.

Explore Industry Standard Certifications

For every industry there are standout certifications that a lot of employers will see as highly valuable or even require as part of a job description. Through our job search experiences, we have seen these certifications brought up during screening as well as interviews, so do some research to see what certification you could pursue to enhance your skillset. These certifications will require an exam and payment but the value added is well worth it. Here are a few examples of industry standard certifications: 

• Tech Support: CompTIA A+

• Project Management: PMP or SCRUM Certified

• Data Analytics: Go ogle Data Analytics Cert

• Digital Marketing: Meta or HubSpot certs

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Explore LinkedIn Premium (Free for 30 Days)

If you haven’t already, this is a great time to take advantage of LinkedIn Premium’s free trial. You’ll get access to LinkedIn Learning, where you can take industry-recognized courses and earn certifications to boost your credibility. You can also see who’s viewed your profile, message recruiters directly, and even get AI-powered resume suggestions tailored to specific job roles you’re applying to. It’s a low-effort, high-impact way to level up during your break.

Volunteer or Take on Unpaid Projects

Don’t underestimate the power of real-world experience—even if it’s unpaid. Look for non-profits, startups, or research teams doing work related to your major. Reach out to professors or early-stage companies and offer to help with tasks like research, product design, data analysis, or content creation. Many summer research assistant roles are still open, especially in STEM fields. These opportunities can build your skills, expand your network, and make your resume stand out for future internships and jobs.

Not an incoming or current international student? Fill out this quick survey so we can send you tailored content based on where you’re at in your international student journey.

Use AI to Build and Ship Projects Fast

It’s never been easier to build your own apps, websites, and personal projects—even if you're not a CS major. With tools like ChatGPT, Cursor, Replit Ghostwriter, Claude, and Vercel’s AI SDK, you can go from idea to MVP in a weekend. Build a budgeting app, launch a personal portfolio, create a chatbot for your student club—the possibilities are endless. Not only do these projects help you learn by doing, but they also show initiative, creativity, and drive—qualities every employer wants.

Get Roam’s Free ATS-Optimized Resume Template!

Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes before a human even sees them. If your resume isn’t ATS-friendly, it might never reach a recruiter. We built a free ATS-optimized resume template just students like you, based on top tech and consulting firms.

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This summer is yours to grow and we’re here to help you become the best version of yourself on this journey as an international student! 🚀

Best,
The Roam Growth Team 🧡