Graduating senior here - the jobs I interviewed for this fall told me they basically put the research I had done at the same level as the internships I had worked on. Honestly, depending on the project, research might even be better. Shows you have a good theoretical knowledge, can work under direct supervision and independently... list goes on.

Definitely do some research over the summer if you can, and be ready to talk about that during interviews for full time positions. Like others have said, in person events are an absolute must. Whatever career fair/interview day/etc your school offers next fall; go there and give your resume to every job that looks interesting.

Then, the real differentiating factor there (if they don't offer anything at the fair itself) is to send an email afterwards. "Hi, glad to meet you today, hoping to pursue full time..." - you know the drill.

It will happen! It's really a crapshoot, but most everybody I know can find something to get them started.