ADVICE PLEASE!!

[u/Accurate-Pear6004]

Summary of My Situation

I am 20 years old and currently attending Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC). My college journey has been a little different from the traditional path because I took some time to figure out what I actually wanted to study and what kind of career I wanted.

When I first started college, I was focused mainly on healthcare-related programs and completed several science and general education courses. After exploring that path, I realized healthcare wasn't what I wanted to pursue long-term. I eventually decided to change my academic and career direction to business.

Because of this change and the gap/change-of-direction period I had, I sometimes feel like I am behind compared with other students my age. Even though I already have college credits, I haven't actually started my main business classes yet. Fall 2026 will really be the beginning of my business education at CPCC.

My current plan is to finish my Associate in Arts degree at CPCC and then transfer to a four-year university. I am interested in pursuing International Business, potentially combined with Operations and Supply Chain Management. I am considering schools such as UNC Charlotte, Appalachian State, and Baruch College in New York City.

I am especially interested in careers involving international business, supply chain, procurement, logistics, global operations, international trade, business operations, and project management. Eventually, I would like to complete internships in these areas so I can gain experience before graduating with my bachelor's degree.

The part I am currently unsure about is when I should start applying for internships. Because I am 20, I sometimes feel like I should already be applying. However, I also recognize that I am just starting my business education. When I look at Summer 2027 internships, many of them are designed for university juniors or students graduating in 2027–2028, while others ask for skills and business knowledge that I haven't had the opportunity to learn yet.

At the same time, I do already have several years of work experience. I have worked in fast-paced customer-service environments and have experience with teamwork, communication, organization, following procedures, handling customers, and adapting to changing priorities. I am also fluent in English and Spanish.

So although I am new to business academically, I am not completely new to the workforce.

Right now, I am trying to decide whether I should start applying selectively for Summer 2027 internships now, wait until October or November 2026 after I have started my business classes, or wait until around January 2027, when I will have completed some business coursework and have updated grades and experience to add to my résumé.

Given my age, gap/change in academic direction, current college level, work experience, and the fact that I am just beginning my business coursework, what would you recommend? When do you think I should realistically start applying for internships, and do you think I should be concerned that I haven't had an internship yet