1. Take On a Summer Job or Internship

A summer job or internship—no matter how small—gives you real-world experience that admissions officers love. It shows responsibility, teamwork, and an early understanding of business fundamentals like customer service, sales, and operations.

• Summer Job: Whether it’s working in retail, at a local café, or for a family business, summer jobs teach you to problem-solve, manage time, and communicate effectively. For example, a job at a clothing store might teach you about inventory management and customer satisfaction—two key areas of business.
• Internships: Look for small businesses, startups, or local professionals who need extra help. Offer to assist with social media, basic bookkeeping, or event planning. You’d be surprised how valuable your fresh perspective can be.

Pro Tip: Don’t just focus on “showing up”—ask questions, take initiative, and learn from the experience. Document what you accomplished, whether it’s improving customer satisfaction, growing a social media following, or streamlining a process.

2. Launch Your Own Small Business or Project

Nothing stands out more than a student who takes initiative to create something meaningful. Whether you sell handmade products online, organize a car wash fundraiser, or tutor younger students, starting your own small venture demonstrates entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, and creativity.

• Small Business Ideas:
• Start a lawn care or babysitting service in your neighborhood.
• Sell handmade crafts or thrifted goods through an online store.
• Organize a local fundraiser for a cause you care about.
• Independent Projects: If starting a business isn’t your thing, explore a project like building a website for a local nonprofit, creating a financial literacy blog, or developing an app that solves a community problem.

Why It Matters: Running a project or small business showcases your ability to identify opportunities, plan effectively, and deliver results—key traits for any business major.

3. Build Relevant Business Skills

Use the summer to strengthen business-related skills that will prepare you for both college and future careers. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer courses on everything from finance and marketing to public speaking and coding.

Skills to Build This Summer:

• Financial Literacy: Learn the basics of budgeting, investing, and understanding financial statements.
• Data Analysis: Explore tools like Excel, Google Analytics, or Tableau to analyze trends and make data-driven decisions.
• Public Speaking: Strong communication is essential in business. Join a debate group, take an online course, or practice presenting to family and friends.

Pro Tip: Choose a skill that excites you and aligns with your future goals. For example, if you’re passionate about marketing, take a course on digital advertising or brand strategy.

4. Participate in Business-Focused Programs or Competitions

Summer programs and competitions are excellent ways to dive deeper into the world of business, learn from experts, and meet like-minded peers. Many universities and organizations offer programs tailored to high school students interested in business.

Examples of Programs:

• Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy
• LaunchX Entrepreneurship Program
• TCU High School Investor Challenge

These programs teach core business concepts like entrepreneurship, finance, and management while offering opportunities for hands-on learning and collaboration. If formal programs aren’t accessible, consider participating in a local or online business pitch competition.

5. Lead Through Volunteer Work

Business leaders are problem-solvers who make an impact—and volunteering is a great way to demonstrate this. Take the initiative to lead a community project or contribute to an organization in a meaningful way.

Ideas to Explore:

• Start a school supplies drive for underserved students.
• Organize a financial literacy workshop for teens.
• Help a local nonprofit improve its outreach or fundraising strategy.

Focus on Impact: Colleges want to see not just what you did but how you made a difference. Track outcomes, like how much you raised, how many people you helped, or how your efforts improved processes.

Reflect and Document Your Summer

Whatever path you choose this summer—whether it’s a job, a project, or a program—take time to reflect on your experiences. Keep notes about:

• What you learned (skills, challenges, and insights).
• What impact you made.
• How the experience shaped your interest in business.

These reflections will be invaluable for college essays, interviews, and applications. Admissions officers don’t just want a list of activities—they want to understand your growth, values, and goals.

Final Thoughts

Planning a standout summer isn’t about being perfect or doing everything at once—it’s about making choices that align with your interests and future aspirations. Whether you launch a small project, build a new skill, or explore a real-world job, the experiences you gain this summer will help you grow as a future business leader and shine on your college applications.