http://www.jmu.edu/cap/resource_center/internship_websites.htm

http://www.jmu.edu/stuemploy/findjob.shtml

http://www.jmu.edu/csl/

http://www.volunteermatch.org/

http://www.thesca.org/

http://www.jmu.edu/cpd/kaplan.shtml

James Madison University - Index

James Madison University - Parents Newsletter Spring 08 - Index

Making
the most
of summer
opportunities
Some students dream
about the end of the
semester, when they
get a break from classes
and the daily grind. Yet,
summer isn’t a time to merely
lounge around the pool and hang
out with friends. Instead, it can
be a great time for students to
catch up or get ahead.
Summer classes: Taking a
summer class allows students to
get ahead for the next semester.
Some students find it helpful to
take a class that they expect to
be difficult, so they can focus
more time and attention on it.
An internship or job: Summer
provides an ideal time to get a
job. Even better is getting a job
that counts as an internship, for
which the student may get credit
for work experience. For instance,
if she is an engineering major, she
can intern at a manufacturing
plant and help design new equipment.
If she is an elementary education
major, she could work at a
day care center or summer camp.
Internships provide a great way
to apply what she’s learned in the
Summer internships are a great way for students to apply classroom
skills or earn class credits while gaining practical job experience.
classroom while gaining practical
experience. Internships also
offer a window into what a career
really entails, which may help a
student decide whether to continue
with a particular major or
minor. Even though most internships
are done during the junior
or senior year, sophomores may
still apply. While there are some
paid internships, others simply
offer experience.
On-campus student employment:
If a student is staying on
campus to take summer classes,
have him look into campus
employment opportunities.
Many offices are open during
the summer break and need student
workers. Summer is a busy
time for conferences and visitors,
RESOURCES
Find more information:
Internships:
Visit the Career and Academic Planning Web site at
www.jmu.edu/cap/resource_center/internship_websites.htm
Student employment opportunities:
Visit the Student Work Experience Center’s Web site at
www.jmu.edu/stuemploy/findjob.shtml
so having a student who knows
his way around can be a plus for
offices such as admissions.
Volunteer: For the civic-minded
student, summer can be a great
time to volunteer. As a young
adult, a student may also enjoy
finding ways to tie volunteer
experiences with the opportunity
to travel. Opportunities are
available locally, nationally and
internationally.
Test taking: For students who
will be going on to graduate, law
or medical school, the summer
is perfect for taking entrance
tests such as the LSAT or GRE.
For first-year and second-year
students, summer allows time to
take a preparatory course. M
Service opportunities:
Visit JMU’s Community Service Learning Web site at www.jmu.edu/csl/.
Additional opportunities may be found at www.volunteermatch.org/ or www.thesca.org
Test prep and admission:
Visit the Center for Professional Development Web site at
www.jmu.edu/cpd/kaplan.shtml
Summer 2008
on-campus housing
information
Gifford Hall is the summer 2008
residence hall, and it will be
open May 11-July 3, 2008.
Cost for housing is $90 per
week. Meal plans are required
for on-campus students and will
cost an additional $90 per week.
Students will not receive
their room assignments prior
to arriving at Gifford Hall for
check-in. Room and roommate
information will be assigned at
check-in/arrival at the hall.
Students arriving for May
session should count on having
a roommate. Rooms will
be assigned on a first-come,
first-serve basis. If you did not
request a specific roommate
when signing up for summer
housing, you may do so at any
time by e-mailing your request
to res-life@jmu.edu. Please
note that the housing office
must receive e-mails from each
of the students wishing to live
together in the room.
Students living in Gifford
for six weeks or more may be
asked to move rooms as the
summer progresses in an effort
to consolidate space.
Students currently living in
Gifford Hall must move their
belongings out of their room for
the week between spring and
summer sessions. Belongings
can be moved into storage on
Friday, May 4, between 10 a.m.
and 4 p.m., or may be taken
home by the student.
Office of Residence Life
res-life@jmu.edu.
(540) 568-4663
SUMMER 2008 5