With classes winding down and finals looming, summer vacation seems like the greatest thing in the world. However, as many college students know, summer vacation is not what it used to be.

While we can still have fun here and there, spending summers as college students has become more work and less play. Reality is approaching fast, and that three-month break is the best thing we have to help us prepare for it. Over the past few months, it seems that many students are having problems finding a place to work for the summer.

Not only are internships a needle in a haystack, but even finding a part-time job can seem like an impossible task.

Unemployment rates are through the roof and the job market seems to have some tough competition. Most businesses are looking for employees that won’t be leaving after three months. Finding a job for the summer can seem like a lot of work, but it is not impossible. According to a recent FOXBusiness.com article, the teen unemployment rate is above 20 percent — higher than that of workers in any other age group.

Finding that internship

Most of us would prefer an internship because it is a great way to make connections and it is possible that you will be hired for a position post-graduation. Yet for most, any attempt at snagging an internship is a bit on the late side.

Binghamton University’s Career Development Center is a very useful tool that offers job fairs during the school year and job links on its website. BU students can also use eRecruiting, a tool on the CDC website that allows users to easily search for jobs and internships.

Those who have had internships in the past may be fortunate, as businesses are often looking to re-hire. Don’t hesitate to contact your previous employer, who knows your work ethic and will most likely hire you over someone new.

Obinna Arizor, a junior majoring in psychology, was interviewed by Goldman Sachs in October 2008 and worked there in the summer of 2009. Goldman Sachs has recently contacted him offering an internship for this summer.

According to Arizor, Goldman Sachs contacted him and said, “It was great having you last year and we’d like to have you back again this year.”

Kimberly Stewart, a sophomore majoring in philosophy, politics and law and psychology, had a somewhat similar experience. Last year she worked for a law firm in New York City and took it upon herself to see if her employer was looking for interns again.

“I sent my previous boss a message asking about internships and if they were hiring again this year, and that’s how I got my internship again,” Stewart explained.

Making some money

It’s also important to realize that not all internships are paid and that sometimes students need to get jobs in addition to unpaid internships. Many parents are often skeptical about unpaid internships, and feel that it is unfair to work so hard and not receive payment.

According to a recent New York Times article, unpaid internships might not even be legal.

The Times reported that some states, such as Oregon and California, have begun to investigate employers on the basis that unpaid internships may violate minimum-wage laws.

If you do need a part-time job, keep your eyes wide open. Be open about finding a job within a family business or tell people to keep their eyes out for “help wanted” signs.

Samantha Berman, a sophomore majoring in psychology, will be working for her father’s business — SportsZone — this summer.

“My father owns two businesses, I’m helping him out with one this summer. It’s a lot easier on him, because he knows my work ethic and reliability,” Berman said.

The Internet is also a great resource for finding part-time jobs. Websites such as Craigslist, SnagAJob.com and Monster.com display part-time jobs.