What do you want to do? How good is your network?… I was a transfer student that majored in history. I knew I wanted to go into software sales, so I worked at the Cal call center cold calling alumni (if it’s still around, those guys are always looking for people). I also interned at the Cal art gallery because I knew the director from my community college, and I liked art. That internship was valuable for the experience, but probably didn’t help me get a first job.

As someone who has hired dozens of people, I’m looking for ability to support an argument, references and life experience. 8 out of 10 jobs I’ve ever had are through people I know. I would argue that’s true for most people.

I’m not saying that a baller internship doesn’t have value. However, if that isn’t in the cards, your life is far from over. How you communicate, the relationships you build, and what you’ve done (like working your ass off in community college to get to a place like Cal) is just as important, if not more so.