Look at these semi-happy, business-casual-attired professionals. Don’t you want to join them? (via Wikimedia Commons)

It’s that time of year again — the snow hasn’t even melted but your inbox is already clogging up with emails from your mom, all with the panicked subject line “APPLY FOR SUMMER INTERNSHIPS — Email Aunt Tanya’s friend about the thing!!! xOxo love you please do this ASAP.” If you don’t have a well-connected Aunt Tanya to hustle you straight into a ~*~*~dreamy~*~*~ D.C. nonprofit internship, though, the ins and outs of summer employment-chasing can be a little tricky. Read on for a guide to one of the most important parts of job/internship-securing — gettin’ that elusive, much-needed professor rec.

• First, identify the professor of your choice. Ideally, it should be someone who thinks you’re at least OK.  Continue reading →