Big decisions and goals can feel intimidating. It’s tricky to balance necessary daily tasks with nebulous future planning. Realistically, you can’t wait for a magical block of time in order to hunker down and dig into your internship/job search. This kind of project doesn’t happen like an all-nighter. It has to happen a bit at a time – like a side hustle. Here are a few strategies to consider.
Microtasks
Big accomplishments are really just a collection of tiny steps. What if you did 2-3 microtasks per day or per week related to your search? Each one might take 10 minutes or less, which is manageable even during your busiest times.
Examples:
- Add one organization to your list of interesting employers (aka a target list) 
- Email or message one friend-of-a-friend about their internship last summer 
- Do a quick search on Handshake to check for deadlines this week 
- Talk with a Career Peer for help starting a cover letter.
Treat it like a class
Block time weekly to do a few things related to your goals and stay loyal to that time. Perhaps it’s an hour between two classes on a particular day of the week. This way, you don’t have to feel guilty for it hanging over your head throughout the rest of the week because you know you’ll devote the dedicated time. You may not get a grade, but the rewards can be great!