Summer intern Cliff M. (a student at Bentley) shares how he has prepared for the upcoming school year during this unprecedented time. A cloud of the unknown hangs over, but he - like many - is putting his best foot forward.

With the summer having been turned upside-down from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people’s plans, including mine, have been greatly disrupted as a result. As a rising sophomore at Bentley University, I made it a priority to stay on top of my education and extend my network through internships and other career opportunities throughout the summer as a way to broaden my horizons and develop skills I will be continuing to hone going forward.

I took an internship at a Mainsail Capital Management, a local wealth management firm in my town. My role for the summer was to create, market, and facilitate a junior investment group that enables kids to gain a basic understanding of the investment and financial world. This served as a great tool for students in order to establish a foundational knowledge and appreciation for the value of investing. We launched the project on July 1st with about 60 participants and I think the students have gotten a lot of valuable experience so far (the program will end in December). 

With that, I have taken two summer courses through The University of Vermont summer program. These six-week courses have allowed me to get a general understanding of micro and macro economics in order to further my education at Bentley and prepare my for the next level of courses going forward.

Throughout the summer I have also been in constant communication with my university with regards to their plans for the fall semester. Although everything is constantly changing in this “new normal” we find ourselves in, it was very helpful to stay up to date with what they are looking to do so I can determine how I want my education to look for the upcoming semester and going forward. I talked to my professors to figure out what they were looking to do, I got in touch with my point-person from residential services in order to understand what campus life would look like upon returning to campus, and I also made sure I was in communication with my suitemates all to gain information allowing me to make a much more informed decision then what I previously could  have done.

All in all, I was incredibly lucky to be able to have a productive summer despite the current things going on in the world. My prep for the upcoming schoolyear has been unorthodox but very helpful during these trying times we all find ourselves in. 

1. Have a plan, develop a routine, and set goals. No matter whether you’re interning, volunteering, or travelling to the other side of the globe, having a plan will give you a path, a routine will give you structure, and goals will give you energy and inspiration.
2. Do your best to know the steps you want to take after your gap year… before you take it. What are you passionate about? What do you want to study? Maybe you know where you want to be for college but are still unsure on what major you want to focus on or what career path you want to take – a gap year is a perfect time to experiment, ask questions, and try new things. If you do have an interest of a particular field or industry, aim to spend as much time as you can in and around it – interning, shadowing a position, reading up on the subject, and networking in the space.  A gap year, done right, is not much of a ‘gap’ at all, but is instead a saturated time of learning, personal growth, and understanding
3. Consider how you’ll pay for and afford your gap year long before you get to your gap year (no procrastination!).  Gap years will certainly vary depending on the individual, but saving up, getting a job, or even setting a budget, will all be helpful. In some cases, a gap year program may offer work in exchange for a stipend.
4. Know that there are some downsides and wrinkles to a gap year. Your high school friends will be entering college and university a year ahead of you – and while I often work with students to be proud and confident in their steps, inevitably (thanks to social media) students will compare themselves and feel disappointed if they feel that their gap year didn’t live up to expectations, or if they think they are missing out. A gap year delays the start of your work career in a competitive economy, and you’re financial aide package may change (if it’s still there at all!).  Some students note that they felt that a gap year – and being out of an academic setting – made it tougher for them to get back into the swing of things academically when entering college.
5. Talk it through with parents, teachers, coaches, advisors, counselors, friends. Inquire, listen, get advice, and weigh their thoughts in shaping your own. This is your life, and as this is a big decision, you want to do what’s right for you – consider the pros and cons, review your plan, think about the value you’d get from the experience. You want this gap year to be a valuable time in your life, geared toward your version of success in the future. This is your story, and you hold the pen - this will certainly be a memorable chapter.

​    Questions about a gap year? The college process? Don't hesitate to contact us!