Hi ThinkTalkers! Believe it or not, we’re now in the last stretch of summer break which means that most of you are probably soaking up the last few days of freedom before the school year starts up again. For me, this also means that this will be my final blog post as my summer internship here at ThinkTalk comes to an end. As I sit here and write, I wonder to myself… where has the time gone?

For those of you who may be unfamiliar with PostSecret, this clever community art project is as intriguing as it is simple. Anonymous people from all over the country mail a homemade postcard to Frank Warren (the creator of PostSecret), which portrays a secret that has never before been revealed.

A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled upon one that read:

“It makes me happy to know that none of use get a how-to guide – we’re all just kind of winging it.”

I considered this statement as it relates to my own life. Many of you probably think about, and envision yourself and your future career. Regardless of the tracks we choose to follow as college-students, I relentlessly hope for myself and for others to fearlessly pursue their passions.

Sure it may sound cheesy, but the word “career” not only evokes a feeling of excitement, but also a sense of anxiety. For most of us, our entire lives have been structured around the core of education. Our parents, teachers, mentors… and even society have conditioned us to believe that our sole purpose is to find a career that will leave us (and our loved ones in the future) financially stable.

What I find, however, is that we are often paralyzed by fears of failure. Why not take your passions and hidden talents, and blend them within a career? Failure can’t happen if you never begin to create the reality of the life you dream about.

So today, let yourself daydream a bit. Climbing the rigid corporate ladder is not for everyone. Freely explore your interests. Your own career does not have to resemble anyone else’s. Who said it even has to be conventional?

Nevertheless, always keep in the mind that every person is a resource. You have the ability to learn from the experiences of others to help yourself prosper in any career-field you choose.

Photo courtesy of PostSecret

When we think about effective leadership, the first thing that may come to mind is a “pit bull” attitude, which includes such traits as competitiveness and assertiveness. Is anyone a fan of HBO’s Entourage? Unfortunately, the aggressive Ari Gold method may not work so well for most people. Others may believe in a more subtle approach – to be more collaborative, nurturing, and sensitive towards others. However, if we allow ourselves to find a balance between the two, we may just be able to have our cake and eat it too…

As a college student, the important things in life may inevitably include parties, roommates, and cute lab partners. Unfortunately, none of those aspects of your college experience will necessarily land you the perfect job come graduation.

The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them ~Mark Twain

Take a moment to ask yourself: What was the last worthwhile novel I read? Unfortunately for all us Twi-hards, the popular vampire saga is not exactly the most educational summer read.

It is unrealistic to believe that simply receiving a college education will lead to success after graduation. In order to breed generations of thought-provoking, productive, multi-dimensional citizens, college students must consistently focus on the core of education: literacy skill.

While still in college, students with higher reading abilities will be more engaged in all subject areas. This will thus lead to more learning and greater potential for the future. Students must master the necessary skills needed to be effective in the workforce during their college career. Only through reading can a person acquire the critical skills further developed through writing and discussion. By picking up a book, you really can influence your own individual motivation and success.

"There was no real need . . . of crasting any more pretty polly to tolchock some old veck in an alley and viddy him swim in his blood¦ nor to do the ultra-violent on some shivering starry grey-haired ptitsa in a shop and go smecking off with the till's guts."

The use of nadsat in Anthony Burgess' A Clockwork Orange, "a harsh, Russian accented slang“ initially parallels to that of gibberish to the common reader. On the contrary, it was this strange language that first intrigued my interest in the novel.

This particular book, with its unique title, stimulated my interest with its underlying political and moral dilemma. A young sociopath droog, Alex, is given the opportunity to be freed of his prison sentence if he chooses to submit to the repressive super-State's 'Ludovico Technique' “ an experimental aversive conditioning which will ultimately deprive him of his self-determination to choose a path of violence.

As one of The 100 Essential Books You Should Have Read in College by OnlineCourses.org, and as one of my personal favorite novels, I highly recommend finding a time to read A Clockwork Orange this summer. While you have time to spend on some books that aren't in your class syllabus, take time to look over the list and pick out some titles that will give you more to think about over summer break.

"books in a stack (a stack of books) courtesy austinevan via Flickr Creative Commons

Ever heard the old adage. "it's not what you know, it's who you know?" An anonymous yet inspirational quote about networking, personal social networks are in fact key sources of labor and information in a rapidly growing, global economy.

The dazzling stream of available technology enables workers to connect to diverse, far-flung networks that can help them leverage their own careers. Known as a kind of "invisible work," creating social networks can empower workers if they are successful at maintaining them, and can also help them take on their jobs effectively.

However, as the global economy continues to become even more global, the competition in the job market continues to grow as well. A graduate college student must not only be qualified for a job, he or she must exceed expectation. Rather than simply knowing the right people, gaining real world experience is also a critical step. It's what you know and who you know that often makes the difference,

College student internships are a great way to build an impressive resume, as well as give students the opportunity to make valuable industry contacts. The people you meet along the way during your college career may be essential in helping you land that ideal job upon graduation.

Many other opportunities to gain work experience can even be found on your college or university campus. By utilizing resources at school, you may find a campus job in your own field of study. That valuable experience may one day land you a position in the career field that you love.

By keeping in mind the social aspect of making good contacts while gaining real world experience, you can be well on your way to landing that dream job. My advice to you? Get in there and mingle.

"Floating Network" courtesy WebWizzard via Flickr Creative Commons

It's summer break. You don't necessarily want to work, but you need the money to support your social life. If you're not cute enough to run that little lemonade stand like you used to, then it's time to find another way to improve your summer cash flow. Luckily, there are numerous opportunities for you to make some side money. And you can do this by using the skills you already have!

I met my good friend Valerie my freshman year of college, and I remember her telling me how she got paid for making company advertisements using her expert Adobe Photoshop skills. Here are some other clever ideas to earn some extra cash:

1. Social Marketing Consultant: So it sounds like a fancy job title, but in reality, you can simply use your Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, etc. skills to help companies with their marketing efforts. If you're going to be on Facebook anyway, why not get paid for it?

2. Write Product Reviews: If you want to complain or rave about something you bought, write about it! Voice your opinion while typing reviews for places like Epinions.com or ReviewStream.com.

3. Sell Stuff on eBay or Have a Garage Sale: Mom and Dad must have some kind of junk lying around in the house. Turn that clutter into profit! It wouldn't hurt to find that old box of toys you used to play with either. The neighborhood kiddies would definitely appreciate them.

4. Take Online Surveys: You can complete surveys through legitimate online survey sites, and get paid for it. Sounds easy doesn't it?

5. Take Pictures and Sell the Photos: Keeping it strictly PG, you can make money as a photographer. Lots of sites are looking to buy digital photos such as Shutterstock.com or 123RF.com.

6. Tutor: Are you a math or science whiz? Many parents are willing to pay for someone who can help their child develop skills and succeed in certain academic areas. Opportunities can range from designing web logos to joining a focus group.

These are just a few ideas out of the endless possibilities… Do some research and earn yourself some cash this summer!

"Lemonade stand" courtesy EvinDC via Flickr Creative Commons

Congratulations! You've applied to that job or internship position that you've been working towards and have made it over the first obstacle. Someone at the company or organization has reviewed your cover letter and resume, and has contacted you to schedule an interview - a phone interview. You don't even have to wear that uncomfortable suit!

June, July, August. Those three months of bliss when you can finally unwind from the stress of classes and those pesky final exams. It can be the perfect time to focus on your social life or find relaxing time for yourself. Read a book, get a tan, travel. Who knows? You might even be motivated enough to find a summer job or an internship to earn some extra spending money.

OR, you can do something that will benefit both your education and future. Enroll in summer classes. Okay, so you can call it summer school, but really, how bad can taking a class or two be? Especially when there are so many advantages in doing so!

1. Suffer a whole semester vs. suffer a short amount of time

Most summer classes last about five weeks and meet two to three times a week. If you know that there is a class that you will absolutely dread sitting through for an entire semester, why not take it early? Summer learners also benefit in that they are not distracted by the rigmarole of school year obligations. They do not have to simultaneously worry about extracurricular activities and social obligations. You can focus all your attention on that one class and earn that A grade- no excuse! Balancing academics becomes easier when you have more leisure time, of course. And after you complete your educational requirements, you have the rest of the summer to go on those exotic vacations you've been waiting for.

2. Graduate sooner

Get a jumpstart on the school year and get those core classes out of the way. If you are looking to graduate early or plan to earn a double major, summer classes can prove invaluable. Dedicate part of your summer to a class, and then enjoy easier course loads during the semester. Also, whether or not you decide to stay in your college town or head back home for the summer, you do not actually have to take courses at your college or university to earn credit. Often times, your community college offers classes whose credits are transferable to a range of majors at your own school.

3. Don't kick the habit

After a few months of zero academic responsibilities, it's always rough going back and readjusting to the school year. However, if you never fall out of the loop of learning, it will be a much easier transition for you. Plus, you forget the stuff you learn when you don't practice the material, so summer classes will keep you smart.

4. Make New Friends

Taking summer classes gives you endless opportunities to meet new friends before the school year begins and expand your social circle. The class sizes may be smaller and more personal as opposed to those huge lecture halls where you may not even spot the same person again for the rest of the semester. Trust me, it happens.

Remember that you can always use the summer time wisely. And it doesn't necessarily mean you have to sacrifice fun.

"A lot of school buses" courtesy wheany via Flickr Creative Commons

Hi ThinkTalkers! My name is Valerie and I just finished my first year of college at the University of Maryland. After the long Memorial Day Weekend, I’m excited to be back at ThinkTalk for my second day on the job.

Many of my friends and peers – also college-bound and first-year college students – are balancing great internship experiences while finding time to soak up the sun. Why not have the best of both worlds? After spending two memorable summers interning full-time at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), I felt comfortable enough to explore other professional settings. While I decided that the sciences were not for me, the opportunity to interact and work alongside others with the same mutual goals has always attracted me. With this cool part-time summer internship, I am able to do just that. I spend my day working with awesome people while simultaneously learning from them. And how exactly did I hear about this internship?

During my freshman year of college, I definitely learned the importance of utilizing resources. I found that a good internship resource is as easy as the click of a mouse (or a laptop clicker for most of you college students). To gain valuable work experience through internships and summer jobs, the first step is of course to actually find the available positions in your area. Luckily, there are a number of free resources and tools designed specifically for college students.

I recommend learning about the databases that your college or university provides. Through the University of Maryland, I was able to find a great source for internship-seekers. Careers4Terps allowed me to browse current listings for a variety of internship possibilities (paid and volunteer, academic and non-academic, college-credit eligible, etc.) and post my resume directly to the website. The great thing about such a tool is that it is career focused in that you can pretty much fashion the search to include only the categories that you are interested in. Whether it be advertising/marketing/PR or journalism and communications, there is an internship out there for you.

The key tip: start as early as possible to get the best opportunities. You’ve got nothing to lose, and experience to gain.